Actor Anil George, who plays Baani in Kalki 2898 AD, opens up on the experience of working with Kamal Haasan and explains how director Nag Ashwin ensured secrecy on sets
For months before it released, the hype around Kalki 2898 AD had made it the biggest Indian film in years. Given that it was based on episodes from Mahabharata and had a dystopian setting, curiosity about its plot and setting was high. Chances of leak were high too, something that director Nag Ashwin knew very well. Actor Anil George, who plays Councillor Baani in the blockbuster, speaks exclusively with DNA about how the team plugged leaks and his experience of working with cine legends in the film.
George’s character Baani is crucial to the film’s plot and the re-emergence of the divine power, seen in the climax. Recalling the secrecy around the sets and production, the actor says, “My character has a tattoo on his right arm. That, and my getup, was kept secret even on set. Even if I had to travel a hundred yards to my vanity van, I was covered with a gown. The same was done with Kamal Haasan ji as well. Anybody who would come on to the set would have to deposit their phone and camera outside.”
In fact, George recalls that most actors did not even get scripts in advance because of chances of leaks. “I did not even have the full script. In fact, I only had my scenes and there too, only the rough dialogue. Many actors did not even get the dialogue. Since I had a language issue, at my insistence, I got that at least. But Nagi improvises so much that scenes would change constantly on shoot. It was great fun,” the actor tells us.
Much of George’s interaction in the film is with the characters played by Saswata Chatterjee and Kamal Haasan. Talking about working with the latter, George says, “I shot with him and I even got a chance to sit and interact with him after the shot. It was great fun. Whenever he would come on to the set, most of the people on the set would be sent out for secrecy. But myself and a couple of other artistes would stay back. To shoot with him was a great experience.”
Kalki 2898 AD also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone along with a large supporting cast. Talking about finding his place in the ensemble, George says, “The director Nag Ashwin has showed so much faith in me. On one hand you have Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, and to trust me in a big film with them shows that faith. And I am ever grateful for that.”
Kalki 2898 AD released in theatres less than three weeks ago to positive reviews with minor criticism of the film’s length and pacing. But the audiences have loved the film, evident by its Rs 1000-crore worldwide gross. It is the highest-grossing Indian film of the year by a huge margin and on course to be one of the highest-grossers ever.
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 "Anil George in Kalki 2898 AD")
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