Marking a milestone in Indian cinema, Vyjayanthi Movies commemorated the first anniversary of their magnum opus Kalki 2898 AD with a heartfelt poster and caption that read:“We started with a dream… and you turned it into an epic. Celebrating 1 YEAR of #Kalki2898AD. Thank you to the audience. This journey is yours as much as ours.”
The post also featured the trending hashtags #1YearForKalki2898AD and #1YearForKalkiKARNAge, along with tags to the film’s iconic cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani, and director Nag Ashwin.
Released on June 27, 2024, after a slight delay from its initial May date, Kalki 2898 AD launched across global screens in standard, IMAX, and 3D formats, delivering a genre-defying cinematic spectacle rooted in Hindu mythology and futuristic sci-fi storytelling. With a staggering ₹600 crore budget, it became the most expensive Indian film ever made — and it paid off. The film grossed between ₹1,027–1,200 crore worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing Indian film of 2024 and the fourth highest-grossing Telugu film of all time.
Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film introduced audiences to a dystopian future set in the year 2898 AD, where ancient prophecies meet technological dystopia. The story revolves around a resistance group's quest to protect SUM-80, a lab subject whose unborn child is believed to be the incarnation of Kalki, the prophesied final avatar of Vishnu.
The film not only stood out for its ambitious world-building and massive scale, but also for its stellar ensemble cast. Prabhas headlined the film with his charismatic screen presence, while Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan brought gravitas to their mythic roles. Deepika Padukone portrayed the emotionally layered SUM-80, and Disha Patani added action flair to the futuristic setting.
Beyond commercial success, Kalki 2898 AD also earned accolades, including the Telangana Gaddar Film Award for Best Feature Film, further cementing its place in Indian cinema history. With the promise of a Kalki Cinematic Universe on the horizon, this anniversary not only celebrates the film's past — but teases an even more epic future.
As fans and creators come together to celebrate this cinematic milestone, Kalki 2898 AD continues to inspire with its message: even in the darkest futures, hope — and myth — endures.