I remember when I first heard the buzz. Project K is going to Comic Con. This was a time when Comic Con had practically become washed out with the big players, Disney and WB choosing not to turn up to Hall H as they now had their own conventions. But having been the comic nerd I was, it still piqued my interest. That was it though. I did not follow through. And it was not until very recently I knew it was renamed to be Kalki, that it was going to be loosely based on Mahabharat. Neither did I watch the trailer, nor did I know it was going to be released today.
Suffice it to say that I watched the film with literally zero expectations and was clueless till I went in. So how did it fare?
Meh.
I maintain that I have no technical knowledge when it comes to films, I am only voicing my opinion which you can discount completely. And to me, this felt like a messed up mash up of all the sci-fi films I’ve ever watched. There was a point while watching when I asked myself if Sci-Fi genre is itself saturated and if there is nothing new to be done here. There’s heavy influence of Star Wars (at least the storm-troopers don’t miss their shots), expansive shots akin to Dune, desert riding like a wannabe Mad-Max? We’ve got space-opera weapons that are made to look like weapons straight out of Indian mythos (now this, I liked) and a few ancient ones actually made it through the ages. All topped off with a storyline somewhat similar to Elysium, but not really. We do not get a story at all. Yet.
Hesitant Writing?!
I asked my friend if I should be writing about this film and he joked stating that the makers haven’t put that much effort in writing so why should I. Banter duh, of course there’s work that’s gone into this film. Its an wonderful concept. But then, it feels like whoever wrote the screenplay kind of held back or did not really think it through.
Take this for example — couple of characters see for the first time in their life the following – horses, ripe fruits hanging from trees, a beach, vast acres of greenery. Now, for you and me, this would still be okay. But for the characters in film who live in dystopian 2898 AD whose emotions have been starved, the bare minimum I expect is rapture. But we barely get any emotion. We break into a dance number and one of the characters doesn’t show up in the film post this at all.
They’re capable actors. Big names. Why were they not used. SMH! If only, the makers focused on the script as much as they’d focused on quick cameos and jokes in the film, this would have been a much better watch. This my friends, was quite literally Marvel Studios Eternals Mahabharat!
The Good
Like I mentioned before, the conception is really cool. The execution lacked. The first 15 minutes until the hero was introduced. The last half hour was well made with respect to visuals and VFX (the rest was really a fumble) and even the elevation moments towards the end was well done.
The Letdowns
We did not need these many cameos. They did not get the cheap pop they were kept for at least in my screen. Actually, one of those was greeted with an uproarious laughter. Something which I’m sure was kept as a whistle moment. It simply didn’t hit the mark. Oh and some of the dialogues just made me cringe hard!
And worst of all. SaNa score. Why? Why? Why?
No it was not bad. This is just not his wheelhouse. And I am not particularly sure if he has tried anything either. I could very distinctly make a Jigarthanda’esque (part 1) tune in there. And the sound mixing for Kayra’s theme? We were genuinely confused if the operator’s phone was ringing next to the stereo setup or something.
Sorry fellas, I am not trying to make it sound bad. When you are going to spend 600 crs and 3+ yrs on a film with such an ensemble, you can’t afford to have so many fumbles!
Kalki Cinematic Universe
There’s a lead up to a sequel. Or sequels? Well, I’ll be seated for those. I want to support these attempts from Indian cinema. It was Brahmastra a couple of years back. Now its Kalki. But we’re not there yet. We will be.
To me Mahabharat has always been the Indian superhero lore. I’ve got a few favourite characters in there. And that’s why I’d love to see that adapted to the modern ways at least once by someone who will make justice to those characters. With this, I see the attempt. But Ashwathama could just as well be another old warhorse like Kattapa and it would not make any difference.
I do not want to give out a spoiler. But the revelation scene in the climax was kind of a let down as well. Because I do not want that character of all from the ancient lore, to be ruined.
The Star TV Version of Mahabharat still stands levels above all these. I might just go back and rewatch that.
