Unlike predecessor, Nag Ashwin promises 'Kalki' sequel will arrive sooner
Director Nag Ashwin has officially confirmed that the sequel to his recent sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD is currently under production. The first installment of the film, released on June 27, ended on a cliffhanger, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the next part. In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Ashwin assured fans that the wait for the sequel will not be as long as it was for the first film.
'We shot for 20 days...but still long way to go'
Ashwin disclosed that some parts of the sequel were filmed during the earlier schedules of the first installment. He revealed, "We had shot portions of it in the earlier schedules when part one was being filmed. We shot for about 20 days. But there's still a long way to go in terms of planning and thinking." He continued, "However, the second part should hopefully take less time to complete and release than the first one."
Ashwin optimistic about sequel's timely completion
Despite the significant amount of planning still required, Ashwin is optimistic about the sequel's completion and release timeline. To note, the development of Kalki 2898 AD spanned about five years, largely due to the innovative visual effects required to create its unique world. The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, and Kamal Haasan in leading roles, centering on Padukone's character Sum-80 and Bachchan's Ashwatthama within this futuristic setting.
'Kalki 2898 AD' draws inspiration from 'Mahabharata'
Ashwin drew inspiration from the Indian epic, Mahabharata, for the storyline of Kalki. He plans to continue this narrative in the sequel. When asked about potential difficulties in dealing with history, mythology, and Gods, Ashwin confidently stated, "What we chose to do and the way we did it, such a situation didn't arise." He added, "It didn't come to a point where we had to be overly cautious. What's written in Mahabharata, we kept it straightforward that way."
Ashwin advocates for telling Indian stories
Further, Ashwin emphasized the importance of telling Indian stories, especially in the current times. He believes that there is a vast audience in India, not just in cities but also in smaller towns, who embrace stories like Marvel and Star Wars. "There is a huge audience in our country- not just in cities but smaller towns who embrace stories like Marvel and Star Wars," he said, underscoring the need to explore homegrown superheroes.
