Nag Ashwin, the acclaimed director of the dystopian sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, has drawn widespread attention and praise for the film's immersive and imaginative worldbuilding. Contrary to many comparisons with the Harry Potter franchise, Ashwin clarifies that the inspiration for Kalki 2898 AD did not come from J.K. Rowling's magical universe. Instead, the film's creative vision is deeply influenced by two iconic Hollywood franchises: Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars.
Also Read: Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD earns Rs 900 crore worldwide on box office
In a recent interview with Zoom, Ashwin delved into the inspirations behind Kalki 2898 AD. He acknowledged that while Harry Potter wasn't a source of inspiration, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and the Star Wars saga significantly shaped the film's aesthetic and narrative approach. Ashwin's admiration for Star Wars is particularly evident; he stated, "I love Star Wars, so that is subconsciously a part of my aesthetic." This influence is further illustrated by the character Luke, portrayed by Harshith Reddy, who was inspired by the legendary Star Wars character, Luke Skywalker.
Expanding on his affinity for the Marvel universe, Ashwin noted that Guardians of the Galaxy had a more substantial impact on Kalki 2898 AD than Iron Man. He shared, "We grew up watching Marvel films. I would say Guardians of the Galaxy was more of an influence than Iron Man."
Ashwin also discussed the creative process behind crafting the characters and settings in Kalki 2898 AD. He mentioned that Kamal Haasan's character, Supreme Yaskin, drew inspiration from a blend of historical and literary sources rather than mainstream movies. Haasan's portrayal was allegedly modeled on old Tibetan monks, who are believed to be 120-130 years old. Additionally, Haasan often referenced the portrait of Dorian Grey from Oscar Wilde's 1890 philosophical novel, "The Picture of Dorian Grey," as an inspiration for his character's timeless and ancient look.
The film Kalki 2898 AD previously titled Project K has set a new benchmark in Indian cinema with its reported budget of ₹600 crore, making it the most expensive film produced in India. Released globally on June 27 in six languages—Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and English—the film has already cruised past the ₹800 crore mark in worldwide box office earnings, with ₹500 crore domestically.
Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, Kalki 2898 AD boasts a stellar ensemble cast featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, Saswata Chatterjee, Shobhana, and Anna Ben, among others. The film's blend of mythology, sci-fi, and action has resonated with audiences, contributing to its remarkable box office success.
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