Arshad Warsi recently voiced strong criticism of the film *Kalki 2898 AD*, particularly targeting the portrayal of Prabhas's character. In a candid discussion on Samdish’s podcast, Arshad did not mince words, describing the film as a disappointment and comparing Prabhas's role unfavorably to a "joker."
The film, directed by Nag Ashwin, has been the subject of considerable attention, both for its ambitious scope and its star-studded cast. Arshad's critique focused on the film's styling and character presentation. He expressed regret that Prabhas’s role did not live up to his expectations, likening it to a character from a circus rather than a formidable post-apocalyptic hero. "I watched *Kalki 2898 AD*, which I didn’t like. Mujhe bahut takleef hoti hai jab Amit ji was unbelievable! I cannot understand that man. I swear, jitna power unmein hai, thoda sa mil jaaye toh life ban jaaye (If I could get just a fraction of the power they have, my life would be made). He’s unreal," Arshad said, praising Amitabh Bachchan's portrayal of Ashwatthama while criticizing the film’s overall execution.
Turning his attention to Prabhas, Arshad added, “Prabhas, I am really sad but, why was he like a joker? Why? I want to see a Mad Max yaar, I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana diya yaar. Kyun karte hai aisa mujhe nahi samaj mein aata hai (What have you made it. Why do filmmakers do this, I will never understand).” Arshad's comments reflect his belief that the film missed an opportunity to deliver a powerful, compelling character and instead ended up with a portrayal that he found inadequate.
*Kalki 2898 AD*, produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, celebrated a milestone by completing 50 days in theaters on August 15, coinciding with India’s Independence Day. The film has achieved significant commercial success, grossing approximately Rs 1,042 crore worldwide, with Rs 767 crore coming from the Indian market. The film is set in a dystopian future in the year 2898 AD and revolves around a chosen group tasked with protecting a prophesied child, Kalki, who is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The ensemble cast includes Amitabh Bachchan as the powerful Ashwatthama, Kamal Haasan as the Supreme Yaskin, Prabhas as Bhairava, and Deepika Padukone as Sumati, the pregnant woman carrying the prophesied child. Despite the film's financial success and the presence of esteemed actors, Arshad Warsi’s critique adds a layer of complexity to discussions about character portrayal and stylistic choices in contemporary cinema. His comments highlight ongoing debates within the industry about the effectiveness of visual and character design in achieving cinematic goals.
