Prabhas’ most anticipated project, Kalki 2898 AD, has finally arrived in theaters worldwide. Directed by Nag Ashwin, this mythological sci-fi action film is based on events from the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, and it showcases the end of the Kali Yuga.
Villains in Kalki 2898 AD
Much like the Mahabharata, Kalki 2898 AD highlights the eternal clash between good and evil. The director has described the film as a sequel to the Mahabharata, which is evident from its visuals inspired by the epic. Several characters in the movie are portrayed in a negative light, adding depth and intrigue to the storyline. These complex antagonists contribute significantly to the narrative, making the battles more compelling.
Kamal Haasan as Yaskin
Tamil star Kamal Haasan takes on the role of the lead antagonist, Yaskin, in Kalki 2898 AD. The film centers around a futuristic township named The Complex, which possesses all the resources of Earth. The creators of The Complex have depleted Kashi of its natural supplies, and now charge a staggering one million units for people to gain access to it. Supreme Yaskin is the creator and ruler of The Complex, a character whose depth and complexity demanded a lot from the actor.
Kamal Haasan revealed that he took almost a year to agree to play Yaskin. During a promotional event, he shared, “It’s not a question of torture. Self-doubt comes, you know. He has done this (pointing towards Amitabh and Prabhas). What am I going to do? That was the reason. And it’s not that I’ve played bad guys before. Even as a lead bad guy, psychopaths, and all that. But this is something else.” Despite the challenges, his extended cameo is garnering a lot of praise from the audience.
Commander Manas in Kalki 2898 AD
Another crucial antagonist in Kalki 2898 AD is Commander Manas, played by Saswata Chatterjee. Commander Manas is a key figure in the film, serving the Complex with unwavering loyalty.
His methods and dedication to maintaining the sanctity of the Complex make him a formidable adversary. Commander Manas is committed to protecting the Complex at all costs, and he will go to great lengths to neutralize any threat that comes his way.
The plot features several powerful entities, including Prabhas’ Bhairava and Amitabh Bachchan’s Ashwatthama, and is filled with a host of intriguing villains.