‘Kalki 2898 AD’ is on a record-breaking spree this year, and there seems to be no stopping its momentum. The film, directed by Nag Ashwin, took a stellar opening with Rs 95.3 crore and grossed Rs 309 crore by the end of its first four days.
Continuously earning at the box office, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ has set another milestone for 2024 by crossing 20 million (2 crores) viewers across India in all languages. This feat makes it the first Indian film of the year to achieve a massive audience reach.
Surpassing ‘Hanuman’
Released on June 27, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ has amassed around 2.02 crore viewers within six days. The Telugu version leads the viewership with approximately 1 crore viewers, followed by the Hindi version with 75 lakh, and other versions contributing around 28 lakh tickets sold.
This remarkable achievement has allowed ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ to surpass ‘Hanuman,’ released in January and garnered 1.44 crore footfalls. Other notable films in 2024 include ‘Fighter’ with 1.17 crore footfalls and ‘Manjummal Boys’ with 1.16 crore footfalls.
A Worldwide Phenomenon
The sci-fi epic, inspired by the Hindu scripture Mahabharata, stars Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone. The film has already earned Rs 600 crore at the worldwide box office and is expected to cross the 1000 crore mark in the coming days.
Despite competition from major international releases like Disney’s ‘Inside Out 2’ and Paramount’s ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ managed a strong performance.
It had a $43 million worldwide three-day weekend, including $5.4 million in North America, where it debuted in fifth place.
Critical Acclaim and Star Power
The film has been praised for its innovative filmmaking and stellar performances. Notable director Atlee commended the movie on social media, highlighting Nag Ashwin’s incredible direction and the high quality of the production.
He praised Prabhas for his outstanding performance and admired Amitabh Bachchan’s contribution to the film, stating that Bachchan’s work elevated the movie’s overall impact.
A Highly Anticipated Release
Vyjayanthi Movies ‘Kalki 2898 AD,’ one of the most expensive Indian films ever made with a budget estimated at $72 million, faced tough competition from other major films.
Nevertheless, it managed to break records and captivate audiences worldwide. The film’s success is awe-inspiring given the concurrent cricketing events, including the semi-final and final of the Men’s T20 World Cup, where India emerged victorious.
Upcoming Celebrations and Future Prospects
The cast and crew celebrated their achievement after the film’s unprecedented success. Disha Patani, who played a significant role in the movie, shared her excitement and gratitude on social media.
She praised director Nag Ashwin for his creative vision and appreciated co-star Prabhas’s support and camaraderie during production.
Plot and Production Insights
‘Kalki 2898 AD’ tells the story of a bounty hunter named Bhairava (played by Prabhas) who crosses paths with Ashwatthama (played by Amitabh Bachchan) and a test subject called SU-M80 (played by Deepika Padukone).
The narrative unfolds in a futuristic setting where these characters navigate a complex world governed by the Supreme Yaskin (played by Kamal Haasan).
The film was released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, catering to a broad audience base across India.
The visually stunning sci-fi epic combines elements of Indian history and mythology with futuristic science fiction, making it a unique cinematic experience.
Box Office Performance
‘Kalki 2898 AD’ significantly impacted the box office from day one, earning Rs 95.3 crore on its opening day.
Although there was a slight dip in collections on Friday with Rs 59.3 crore, the film’s earnings surged over the weekend, raking in Rs 66.2 crore on Saturday and Rs 88.2 crore on Sunday.
The momentum continued with Rs 34.15 crore on Monday, Rs 27.05 crore on Tuesday, and Rs 22.7 crore on Wednesday, bringing the total to Rs 392.9 crore in India within seven days.
Global Impact and Future Releases
As ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ continues to dominate the box office, it faces little competition until the release of Kamal Haasan’s ‘Indian 2’ on July 12.
The film’s success has set a high benchmark for other big-budget releases in 2024, such as Koratala Siva’s ‘Devara: Part 1,’ Sukumar’s ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule,’ and Shankar’s ‘Game Changer.’
Final thoughts
‘Kalki 2898 AD’ has undoubtedly made a significant mark in the Indian film industry by becoming the first film of 2024 to cross 20 million footfalls across India.
Its record-breaking performance, critical acclaim, and star-studded cast have solidified its place as one of the most successful films of the year. As the film continues to draw audiences to theaters, its legacy is expected to inspire future filmmakers and set new standards for Indian cinema.
