‘The wait for ‘Kalki’ will continue’
Nag Ashwin says Part 2 of his hit sci-fi film will also not show an overt, on-screen version of the much-awaited ‘Kalki’
By : Lipika Varma
Update: 2024-07-08 18:40 GMT
The man of the moment, Nag Ashwin, director of the very well-received Kalki 2898 AD, engaged in a candid chat with DC at Mumbai about the casting of the sci-fi movie, the extent of its success, his plans for the future, and other topics.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Q You seem to have hit on the right formula for success in Kalki 2898 AD, casting biggies like Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, and going with a unique script.
I’m grateful we got the right casting, and that audiences are loving our film. It feels satisfying. Terms like ‘never seen before’ are specially gratifying.
Q Do you feel Amitabh Bachchan has raised the film to another level?
Definitely! As Ashwatthama, he has elevated the movie. He is a legend and he brought the character alive on screen. He was my first option for the part and he was the first person we approached.
Q According to some reports, Kamal Haasan took almost a year to say ‘Yes’ to his character. Why was that?
Kamal was the last person we approached. We wanted to be sure of the role we were offering him, so we took a little time.
Also, frankly speaking, he is Kamal Haasan (smiles). He needed to be convinced before coming on board. That’s why it took that much time.
Q You seem to have hit on the right formula for success in Kalki 2898 AD, casting biggies like Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, and going with a unique script.
I’m grateful we got the right casting, and that audiences are loving our film. It feels satisfying. Terms like ‘never seen before’ are specially gratifying.
Q Do you feel Amitabh Bachchan has raised the film to another level?
Definitely! As Ashwatthama, he has elevated the movie. He is a legend and he brought the character alive on screen. He was my first option for the part and he was the first person we approached.
Q According to some reports, Kamal Haasan took almost a year to say ‘Yes’ to his character. Why was that?
Kamal was the last person we approached. We wanted to be sure of the role we were offering him, so we took a little time.
Also, frankly speaking, he is Kamal Haasan (smiles). He needed to be convinced before coming on board. That’s why it took that much time.
Q You’ve met with success right from your first film, Nenu Meeku Telusa, as Assistant Director. Looks as if you are set to give tough competition to global filmmakers. Are you aiming for the Oscars with Kalki 2898 AD?
Not really. We are just enjoying this moment. In my opinion, every movie has its own fate and we are just lucky that every movie we have attempted has reached the audiences the way we wanted it to.
Not really. We are just enjoying this moment. In my opinion, every movie has its own fate and we are just lucky that every movie we have attempted has reached the audiences the way we wanted it to.
Q Earlier, it was Bollywood films which attracted global recognition, but now the South seems to have taken over this role.
I think it depends on the story. The director or writer can be from anywhere in the country. I don’t think the language matters either. It’s always the story which has to work. It just so happens that for the past three years, films from the south have made it big. It’s a cycle.
Q The film is raking in money for Vyjayanthi Movies. Are they happy with the recovery to date?
Vyjayanthi Movies are always backing something new and risky. They are very happy that every rupee they have invested is not only coming back, but is accompanied by loads of love. We are in the process of breaking even, and I think people are confident of profit. It’s just been a week so we are happy at this point in time.
Q Single theatre owners are unhappy that they weren’t allowed to book tickets for your film in advance. What would you say to this?
I am not aware of such things. That aspect is handled by the producers and distributors.
Q Films with such high budgets put huge pressure of recovery on the producers/distributors, don’t they?
Of course! They have to make sure the movies reach every corner. India is a massive country. Very rarely do we harness even half its potential.
Q The end of the movie suggests there will be a Part 2. Who will be your Kalki?
The baby will continue to be in the womb [of Deepika Padukone.] We will not show [Kalki] in the next part. We will begin from where we have left off.
I think it depends on the story. The director or writer can be from anywhere in the country. I don’t think the language matters either. It’s always the story which has to work. It just so happens that for the past three years, films from the south have made it big. It’s a cycle.
Q The film is raking in money for Vyjayanthi Movies. Are they happy with the recovery to date?
Vyjayanthi Movies are always backing something new and risky. They are very happy that every rupee they have invested is not only coming back, but is accompanied by loads of love. We are in the process of breaking even, and I think people are confident of profit. It’s just been a week so we are happy at this point in time.
Q Single theatre owners are unhappy that they weren’t allowed to book tickets for your film in advance. What would you say to this?
I am not aware of such things. That aspect is handled by the producers and distributors.
Q Films with such high budgets put huge pressure of recovery on the producers/distributors, don’t they?
Of course! They have to make sure the movies reach every corner. India is a massive country. Very rarely do we harness even half its potential.
Q The end of the movie suggests there will be a Part 2. Who will be your Kalki?
The baby will continue to be in the womb [of Deepika Padukone.] We will not show [Kalki] in the next part. We will begin from where we have left off.