Kalki 2898 AD (2024)

Kalki 2898 AD runs 181 minutes, and the first hour is the toll you pay to reach the last one. Nag Ashwin leaps from the aftermath of the Kurukshetra War to a far-future Kashi, the last city standing, ruled by Kamal Haasan’s Supreme Yaskin from a floating, upside-down pyramid called the Complex. Amitabh Bachchan is Ashwatthama, the ancient warrior cursed by Krishna to wander until he can protect the mother of Kalki, and Deepika Padukone is Sumathi, an escaped lab subject who may be exactly that. Prabhas plays Bhairava, a bounty hunter chasing points with his sentient AI ride, Bujji. The world-building is huge, the effects are the real deal, and Bachchan owns every scene. The first half is slow and uneven, though, and Bhairava’s comedy mostly misfires. It holds a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and made $18.29 million in North America alone. A 7.0 because when myth and sci-fi finally collide, the spectacle is worth the wait. $39.41 says you nickname your car Bujji by the weekend and start apologizing to it for every pothole.

What works: The world-building and effects are genuinely ambitious, Amitabh Bachchan is commanding, and the final stretch delivers real spectacle.

What doesn’t: The first half is slow and uneven, Bhairava’s comedy falls flat, and several subplots feel underdeveloped.

Who it’s for: Fans of big mythic sci-fi who have a free evening and a comfortable seat.