Kalki 2898 AD release, review highlights: Trade experts predict Prabhas-starrer to cross Rs 1000 crore

Kalki 2898 AD is the biggest film in Indian cinema history. With a budget of Rs 600 crore and a superstar cast of Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Deepika Padukone, it has generated massive buzz worldwide. The film, intended as a ‘sequel’ to the events of Mahabharata, is directed by Nag Ashwin. Here are all the highlights and live updates from the release day of this grand pan-India film.

Sacnilk predicts Rs 1000 crore gross for Kalki 2898 AD

Industry tracker portal Sacnilk tweeted that going by the positive word of mouth, Kalki 2898 AD is expected to gross Rs 1000 crores worldwide.

Ram Gopal Varma praises Nag Ashwin for presenting Amitabh Bachchan 'more dynamic'

Director Ram Gopal Varma, who made his acting debut with his cameo in Kalki, praised the director and thanked him for giving him the chance to make his acting debut. On X, he wrote, "Hey @nagashwin7 KUDOS to ur AMBITION and IMAGINATION... @srbachchan is a 100 times more dynamic than ever and #prabhas is in a never before seen avatar and AHEM, also THANKS for giving me my acting DEBUT."

Kamal Haasan reveals why he signed Kalki 2898 AD

Kamal Haasan had a masterclass with Pinkvilla and he revealed that he signed Kalki for Part Two, where his character Supreme Yaskin will become a full-fledged character. With his recent projects, including Kalki 2898 AD and Indian 2, he's reintroducing himself as an actor

Prasanth Varma celebrates Kalki 2898 AD

Hanu-Man director Prasanth Varma showered praises on Kalki 2898 AD and shared his thoughts.On X, he tweeted, "#Kalki2898AD is a SPECTACULAR BLOCKBUSTER! @nagashwin7 WHAT A VISION. #Prabhas GARU IS THE TRUE PAN WORLD STAR. @SrBachchan @ikamalhaasan @deepikapadukone @DishPatani."

Vijay Deverakonda's special message for Kalki team

He tweeted, "Nagiiiii Prabhas annaa @VyjayanthiFilms. I am so happy for all of you, you deserve all the love and success and power. Celebrating for you and God bless you. Respects to @SrBachchan sir, @deepikapadukone and @ikamalhaasan sir, #Kalki wouldn’t be the same without you. #Kalki2898AD will be remembered long after we are all gone @nagashwin7." 

SS Rajamouli gives a shoutout to Prabhas' film

SS Rajamouli took to Instagram to praise the film and gave a big shout-out to the team, mentioning that the last 30 minutes took him to another world.

Prabhas fans seen celebrating on the road:

 

Suriya sends 'heartiest wishes' to Kalki 2898 AD team

Suyia took to Twitter and wrote, "Heartiest wishes for an all time blockbuster #Kalki2898AD. Set new milestones team! @nagashwin7 @Music_Santhosh @SrBachchan Sir @ikamalhaasan Sir @AshwiniDuttCh Sir @deepikapadukone And my darling brother #Prabhas and to the cast & crew."

Nag Ashwin says ‘It has been a long road’

Director Nag Ashwin, who has spent over four years working on his magnum opus, shared a poignant moment on his Instagram Stories. He posted a picture of his worn-out slippers, visibly chipped on the sides, with the caption, "It has been a long road."

Fans dancing inside the theatre:

Prabhas fans can be seen celebrating the film inside the theatre. Videos of them are going viral on social media.

Prabhas' Salaar team wishes Kalki 2898 AD

The official Twitter handle of Prabhas' last release, Salaar extended their best wishes to Prabhas and the team of Kalki 2898 AD. They wrote, "Here’s wishing our Box Office Ka #Salaar, Rebel Star #Prabhas and the entire team behind #Kalki2898AD all the best for their grand release!. May your vision dominate the big screen and rewrite cinematic history!" 

IMAX shows cancelled in Bengaluru

Amid celebrations and positive early reviews, Kalki 2898 AD has faced a minor setback. The film's IMAX shows in Bengaluru were cancelled, leaving fans who had purchased expensive tickets upset. Many netizens have voiced their concerns and disappointments on social media. Police also arrived to handle the matter.

Kalki 2898 AD has a Baahubali connect

Apart from Dulquer Salmaan and Vijay Deverakonda, Kalki 2898 AD also has a cameo of Baahubali director SS Rajamouli. The fans couldn't stop themselves from sharing the video of the filmmakers' cameo with Prabhas in the movie

Fans call Amitabh Bachchan, show stealer, 'asli superstar'

Apart from Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, netizens hail Amitabh Bachchan's 'terrific' performance in Kalki 2898 AD and call him 'asli superstar'. One of the tweets read, "81-year-old #AmitabhBachchan in #Kalki2898AD, Asli Superstar."

Kalki 2898 AD opens to positive reviews

Movie-goers can't stop gushing about the film's 'mindblowing climax' and heap praise on Deepika Padukone and Prabhas' performances in the movie. One of the tweets read, "best film of Prabhas post Baahubali." Another user wrote, "Kalki 2898 AD is a flawless 10/10 film in my eyes (without any bias), i’m still trying to find the mistakes & failing terribly. Nag Ashwin, i’m a fan!!! cannot wait to witness Kalki cinematic universe — Deepika Padukone, a bang-on performance as expected, the mother!"

 

Fans put up cutouts and posters of Prabhas to celebrate film's release

To celebrate the release of Kalki 2898 AD, Prabhas' fans put up cutouts and posters of the actor in Hyderabad and decorated it with huge garlands. 

Nani praises Kalki 2898 AD for 'internationally slick content'

Prabhas' fans are already going gaga over Nag Ashwin's sci-fi, however, now even the celebrities are showering love on the film and its cast. Nani took took to his Twitter and heaped praise on Prabhas' film, and wrote, "Internationally slick content oriented mythological futuristic sci fi mass Indian film from the Telugu land? Go watch #Kalki2898AD. Proud of what Nagi, Prabhas anna, vyjayanthi movies and other stellar star cast had pulled off." 

 

Prabhas' film breaks RRR's record in North America

Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD has crossed the $3.5 million mark in North America's premieres. According to Sacnilk, It is the first Indian film that has had the biggest opening in North America and has even beaten SS Rajamouli's RRR, which collected $3.3 million on opening day. 

 

Cine-goers hail Nag Ashwin's film as masterpiece

As the much-awaited film, Kalki 2898 AD was released in theatres, the fans rushed to the theatres and the love started pouring in on social media. One of the users took to Twitter and shared his review wrote, "Take note, world: #Kalki2898AD is here to stay and slay!  A visual and narrative MASTERPIECE, it blends stunning visuals with a gripping storyline that is bound to resonate globally. The craftsmanship of @nagashwin7 is impeccable, setting new benchmarks at every turn. Despite few flaws…It’s an experience so unique and compelling, that it’s like nothing ever seen in Indian cinema, mixing #IndianMythology with futuristic filmmaking in a way that redefines genres and exceeds expectations. Bravo to the entire team! This film is the best in its class, creating a cinematic experience that’s truly one of a kind! Looking forward to #Kalki2898AD Part 2."

Fans go berserk in UK, celebrate film's release with whistles 

A video of fans leaving the theatre after watching Kalki 2898 AD in the UK is now going viral on social media. The fans can be seen hooting, and whistling after watching the movie. The craze for Prabhas, Deepika, Amitabh, and Kamal Haasan's film is seeing full madness in theatres.

Prabhas' film gets standing ovation in the US

A Twitter user shared the news about Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD getting a standing ovation in the US. The user wrote, "Standing ovation for #KALKI2898AD‌‌ in Cinemark Dallas IMAX. And 
@nagashwin7 You did it."

Makers urge fans to avoid spoilers

On Wednesday, the eve of the film's release, Vyjayanthi Movies, Kalki 2898 AD's producers shared a post asking fans to not spoil the film for others. "Say no to spoilers and piracy. Together, we can keep the magic alive." The note read, "This is a journey of 4 long years and this is the story of immense hard work put in by Nag Ashwin and team. There was no stone unturned in bringing this story to a global scale. There was no looking back or compromising in the quality. Blood and sweat has been put in by the team to bring this forward," read a creative on the production house's official Instagram page. Even then, videos of scenes from the first shows flooded social media by Thursday morning.

Kalki 2898 AD targets Rs 200 crore opening

The Nag Ashwin film has taken a solid start at the box office with the advance booking crossing Rs 55 crore for the opening day itself. Trade analysts have predicted the film’s worldwide gross for the first day to easily cross Rs 160-180 crore and maybe even target Rs 200 crore, a mark only two Indian films have ever touched.

Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan cameos confirmed

In an Instagram live chat on Wednesday, director Nag Ashwin and Prabhas thanked Dulquer Salmaan and Vijay Deverakonda for their work in the film. This confirmed the rumours that the two actors have cameos in Kalki 2898 AD. It has been speculated that they are playing other Chiranjeevis (immortal beings) and setting up more films for the Kalki Cinematic Universe.

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