Kalki 2898 AD

‘Kalki’, starring Dr. Rajasekhar in the lead, was released this Friday. Here is our review of the investigative thriller.

Story:
The film is set in a Telangana village named Kollapur, unfolding in 1983 when Narasappa (Ashutosh Rana) ruled the village with an iron fist. Kalki (Rajasekhar), an IPS officer, enters the village to investigate the murder of Sekhar Babu (Siddhu Jonnalagedda). Crime reporter Devadatta (Rahul Ramakrishna) assists him in the investigation. Kalki comes across intriguing clues involving Asima (Nandita Swetha) and the drowning of three boats carrying pilgrims to Srisailam. The film delves into how these incidents and characters are linked to Narasappa and his arch-rival Perumandlu (Shatru). The mystery of who killed Sekhar Babu, a hero for his villagers, and the past of Kalki are unveiled in the second half.

Analysis:
Director Prasanth Varma uses heroism at regular intervals to drive the narrative. Kalki is portrayed with slow-motion elevation shots and four theme songs, accompanied by minimal dialogue but impactful expressions. The film is more of an investigative thriller from the perspective of Rahul Ramakrishna’s character rather than Rajasekhar’s. The first half introduces elements such as communal disputes and misleading storytelling. Additionally, the screenplay introduces elements to mislead the audience into thinking that horror is reserved for the second half. The film incorporates surprise elements such as Nasser’s character with a concealed identity, conveying the concept of Karma coming back. The film incorporates a village setting with the presence of venomous snakes, adding an intriguing element. The rivalry between Rana and Shatru could have been presented in a more engaging manner, and the film could benefit from a better balance in the portrayal of Rahul Ramakrishna’s character. The screenplay could have been more nuanced, and some scenes feel repetitive and unsettling due to the abundance of undeveloped characters and sub-plots.

Regarding performances, the cast delivers adequately, with Rajasekhar, Rana, Siddhu, Nandita, Jayaprakash, Nasser, and Poojitha Ponnada fitting their roles well. Special mention goes to Scarlett Wilson, who appears in a special song. The background score by Shravan Bharadwaj enhances many scenes, while the cinematography is largely satisfying. The sound design is effective, but the editing could have been crisper.

Verdict:
‘Kalki’ follows the template of an atypical murder mystery with a twist in the climax. Despite being technically rich, the film could have presented a better screenplay to maintain consistent excitement. Rajasekhar’s performance stands out in the film.