Directed by
Nag Ashwin
Made by
Vyjayanthi Movies
Discover the intricate plot of Kalki 2898 AD (2024). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
Following the epic Kurukshetra War, Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) embarks on a dark mission to eliminate the unborn child of Uttara (Malvika Nair). For this heinous act, he is cursed by Krishna (Krishnakumar), the eighth avatar of Vishnu, destined to wander the earth as an immortal being, forever a witness to the suffering of humanity as society crumbles during the Kali Yuga. His divine gem, a source of immense power, is ripped from his forehead, and it is foretold that his chance for redemption lies in protecting the mother of Kalki, Vishnu’s tenth and final avatar, during the bleak days marked by a poisoned atmosphere and a lifeless river Ganga.
Fast forward to 2898 AD, six millennia after the harrowing events of the Kurukshetra, Kasi emerges as the sole bastion of civilization amidst a desolate, post-apocalyptic landscape presided over by Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), an omnipotent, two-century-old tyrant. The river Ganga lays dry, while an unusual bright star—last seen centuries ago—casts its glow in the sky.
Yaskin’s rule is enforced from the ‘Complex’, a grand inverted-pyramid structure hovering over the city. Here, his command is held firm by Commander Manas (Saswata Chatterjee), Counsellor Bani (Anil George), and a relentless army, all geared up to subdue any insurrection, particularly from the elusive rebels of Shambhala, who await the prophesied arrival of Kalki.
In this grim universe, fertile female refugees are captured and taken into the Complex for Project K, a covert operation designed to create a powerful serum for Yaskin through the use of artificially inseminated fetuses. Yet, the serum only becomes effective after 150 days of gestation, with the grim reality being that none of the fetuses or the pregnant women survive the extraction procedures. Project K’s scientists lament that the wombs are too frail to bear the potent concoction.
A young girl, Raia (Keya Nair), cleverly disguises herself as a boy to escape the dreadful conscription into this project, thanks to the assistance of Veeran (Pasupathy), a brave soul from Shambhala devoted to protecting Divya (Mrunal Thakur). However, Veeran soon realizes Divya is not the foretold mother of Kalki as evidenced by a lamp that does not ignite in her presence.
Tragedy strikes as Divya is killed by Manas while attempting to extract information about Shambhala, and Veeran meets his own end while warning Manas about Kalki’s impending arrival.
Meanwhile, Bhairava (Prabhas), a hardened bounty hunter seeking riches to gain entry into the Complex, harbors a past marred by betrayal—having been orphaned during the war and sold out by his guardian Pilot (Dulquer Salmaan) for a chance at survival within the Complex. Roxie (Disha Patani), his love and financial backer, works within the Complex, and their paths intertwine as they navigate the glamour and danger contained within its walls.
As fate intertwines their lives, Raia discovers refuge within a cave, where she unexpectedly encounters Ashwatthama. In a twist of fate, she unknowingly returns his divine gem back to him, leading both to the realization that they must locate the woman carrying Kalki. In a barren desert, Counselor Bani uncovers Arjuna’s Gandiva, yet no force can wield it without its ancient consent.
In the Complex, SUM-80 (Deepika Padukone), a project subject concealing her disturbing 150-day pregnancy, is forced against her will into the extractive procedure. Despite failing all seeding tests, SUM-80 finds herself pregnant, which leads to a terrifying encounter with Manas during her extraction. A daring rescue by a fellow Shambhalan rebel named Lilly saves her from a grim fate, however.
As they flee towards Shambhala, their journey is met with peril as bounty hunters launch an ambush. In a selfless act, Kyra (Anna Ben) sacrifices herself to ensure Sumathi’s escape. Meanwhile, Bhairava discovers this high-profile escape and pursues them, believing this bounty will assure his entry into the Complex.
Chaos erupts as soldiers confront the rebels, and Ashwatthama and Bhairava clash in a battle for Sumathi—but ultimately, Ashwatthama prevails and leads her to safety in Shambhala, where the sacred tree of life flourishes in the presence of the awaited mother of Kalki.
It soon dawns on Bani that Ashwatthama is fiercely guarding the mother carrying the divine child and that the mysterious Gandiv has resurfaced with her arrival. The planets are soon poised for alignment, signaling a cataclysmic eclipse—a historical event that hasn’t occurred in 6000 years.
Within this fierce struggle, Ashwatthama reveals that his seemingly unremarkable walking stick holds an ancient power—Vijaya Dhanush, forged for Karna (Prabhas) during his life in the Kurukshetra War, a weapon fabled to be wielded only by its rightful owner.
As tensions escalate, Bhairava cunningly strikes a deal with Manas—capturing Sumathi would earn him passage inside the Complex. Deceit flows thick as he persuades a captured rebel, Luke (Harshith Reddy), to lead him to Shambhala under false pretenses.
Once within, chaos ensues: Mariam ([Shobana]), the leader of Shambhala, makes a desperate attempt to guard Sumathi, but tragically falls to Manas’s blade. As the conflict rages, both Ashwatthama and Bhairava swirl into the fray to save the divine mother. Yet, in a moment of distrust, Ashwatthama incapacitates the enthralled Bhairava before Manas’s forces capture him within their grasp.
In a twist of fate, a latent power resurfaces when the fallen leaf from the tree of life fortuitously lands in Bhairava’s hand, awakening the essence of Karna within him. Empowered with this newfound strength, he vanquishes the soldiers, even killing Manas in fierce combat. As the dust settles, Bhairava becomes the beacon of hope for Sumathi, determined to escort her to safety, while Ashwatthama perches helplessly as a prisoner.
In a climactic revelation, Yaskin consumes the serum drop extracted from Sumathi’s fetus, transforming into a youthful, formidable being. With newfound strength, he wields Arjuna’s bow, Gandiva, vowing to capture Sumathi and reshape the world in his twisted vision.
Track the key events of Kalki 2898 AD (2024) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
Kurukshetra War Concludes
Following the epic Kurukshetra War, a significant battle in Indian mythology, various warriors face the repercussions of their choices. Ashwatthama, one of the key figures, embarks on a dark mission fueled by vengeance, setting the stage for an ominous journey ahead.
Ashwatthama's Curse
In a fit of rage against Uttara, Ashwatthama attempts to eliminate her unborn child, leading to his ultimate cursing by Krishna. This curse condemns him to wander the earth as an immortal, forever witnessing the torment and decline of humanity throughout the Kali Yuga.
The Rise of Yaskin
Fast forward to 2898 AD, Yaskin emerges as a tyrannical ruler of Kasi, the last remnant of civilization. Under his oppressive regime, the river Ganga lies dry, and the world suffers under his iron grip, plagued by despair and decay.
Project K Initiated
Yaskin launches Project K, a sinister operation to harness the power of unborn children. Fertile female refugees are captured to create a serum, but the odds are grim; none survive the extraction, with the scientists lamenting over the futility of their efforts.
Raia's Disguise
Amidst the chaos, a young girl named Raia disguises herself as a boy to evade capture for Project K. With the help of Veeran, a protector from Shambhala, she skillfully navigates the dangers surrounding her.
Divya's Tragic Fate
The narrative takes a dark turn when Divya, hoping to discover the secret of Shambhala, is killed by Commander Manas. In a brave attempt to save her, Veeran meets his own end while trying to alert Manas about the prophesized arrival of Kalki.
Bhairava's Quest
Bhairava, a bounty hunter with a troubled past, seeks wealth to gain access to the Complex, which is governed by Yaskin. His journey intertwines with Roxie, his love interest, as he grapples with the harsh realities of their world.
Ashwatthama and Raia's Encounter
In a significant turn of events, Raia finds refuge in a cave and unexpectedly meets Ashwatthama. Their fateful encounter leads Raia to return his divine gem, igniting a quest to locate the mother of Kalki.
The Battle for Sumathi
As tensions escalate, rebels clashing with soldiers leads to chaos. Ashwatthama ultimately faces off against Bhairava in a fierce battle over Sumathi, as both vie to protect the divinely pregnant woman.
The Revelation of the Gandiva
Bani realizes that the ancient weapon Gandiva has new significance, as it has resurfaced with Sumathi's arrival. As planets align for a cataclysmic eclipse unseen for centuries, fate pulls everyone into a climactic struggle.
Bhairava's Awakening
During the chaos, Bhairava discovers a latent power when a fallen leaf from the tree of life lands in his hand, awakening the essence of Karna within him. This newfound strength empowers him to fight against Yaskin's forces.
Yaskin's Transformation
In a dramatic twist, Yaskin consumes the serum drop derived from Sumathi's fetus, rejuvenating himself into a formidable new form. His transformation grants him the strength to wield the mighty Gandiva, further complicating the ongoing conflict.
A Betrayal in Shambhala
As the battle unfolds in Shambhala, Mariam, the leader, tries desperately to protect Sumathi but tragically falls to the blade of Manas. This pivotal moment intensifies the skirmish between Ashwatthama, Bhairava, and Yaskin's forces.
The Final Clash
Amidst rising tensions, chaotic confrontations culminate as the sacred tree of life stands as a beacon of hope. Bhairava, empowered by newfound strength, fights to save Sumathi, casting aside distrust and stepping into the role of a true hero.
A World Reshaped
The events spiral towards an ending filled with uncertainty as Yaskin, emboldened by his new power, vows to reshape the world. The struggle signifies a battle not only for survival but for the very essence of humanity's future.
Meet the characters that bring Kalki 2898 AD (2024) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan)
Ashwatthama is a tragic figure, cursed to wander the earth as an immortal after seeking vengeance for the Kurukshetra War. His character embodies both guilt and nobility, reflecting the weight of his past deeds. He becomes a protector of the future mother of Kalki while battling his inner demons.
SUM-80 (Deepika Padukone)
SUM-80 is a compelling character caught in a nightmarish existence, forced into a horrific project aimed at creating a powerful serum. Representing the plight of women in dystopia, she showcases resilience and the struggle for autonomy, illuminating the dark reality of her circumstances.
Bhairava (Prabhas)
Bhairava is a hardened bounty hunter with a tragic backstory, shaped by betrayal and loss. His journey from seeking fortune to becoming a beacon of hope reveals layers of determination and moral complexity. He faces internal and external conflicts as he strives to protect the divine mother, complicated by past grievances.
Roxie (Disha Patani)
Roxie is Bhairava's love interest and financial supporter, intricately tied to the dangerous world within the Complex. She balances loyalty and survival, showcasing the difficulties faced by those caught between love and the oppressive forces around them.
Veeran (Pasupathy)
Veeran is a passionate rebel from Shambhala, devoted to protecting the ones he loves. His bravery and determination in the face of adversity serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in desperate times.
Uncover the settings of Kalki 2898 AD (2024), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
2898 AD
Set in a dystopian future, the film explores a time when humanity is besieged by the fallout of past wars and corrupted governance. The events unfold six millennia after the great Kurukshetra War, during the Kali Yuga, characterized by moral decline and suffering. The atmosphere is poisoned, leading to societal collapse and the desperate quest for survival.
Location
Kasi, Ganga, Shambhala, Complex
Kasi is portrayed as the last stronghold of civilization in a post-apocalyptic world, surrounded by desolation. The Ganga, once a sacred river, lies dry, amplifying the despair of the environment. The Complex is a grand, inverted pyramid that symbolizes tyranny under Supreme Yaskin's rule, while Shambhala serves as a hidden refuge for rebels hoping for the arrival of Kalki.
Explore the core themes of Kalki 2898 AD (2024). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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War and Redemption
The movie grapples with the themes of warfare and the possibility of redemption amidst chaos. Ashwatthama's quest centers around his dark past linked to the Kurukshetra War, while the emergence of Kalki symbolizes hope amid destruction. Characters struggle to reconcile their roles in a violent world, seeking both vengeance and salvation.
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Destiny and Prophecy
The narrative weaves in themes of destiny and prophecy as the characters navigate their fates in a desolate world. The prophecy surrounding Kalki's arrival drives the actions of both rebels and tyrants, revealing deep connections to their past. This intertwines personal destinies with a larger cosmic significance that echoes throughout the plot.
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