News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/21st June 2024
Celebrated actor Kamal Haasan, renowned for his versatility, embraces the role of an antagonist in the futuristic drama “Kalki 2898 AD.” Haasan, who has long desired to portray a villain on screen, expressed his excitement at finally getting the chance in this post-apocalyptic epic.
“Kalki 2898 AD” boasts a stellar cast, including Amitabh Bachchan as the immortal Ashwatthama and Prabhas as Bhairava, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film also stars Deepika Padukone as Sumathi. Haasan’s character, Supreme Yaskin, adds a menacing twist to the narrative.
Haasan shared his enthusiasm at a recent promotional event, recalling a conversation with Amitabh Bachchan. “I was telling Amit ji backstage about my long-standing wish to play a bad man because villains get to do all the exciting things. While heroes sing romantic songs and wait for the heroine, the bad guy can do whatever he wants. I thought playing the bad man would be fun, but Ashwin wanted it to be different. My character is almost like a sage with a bad idea,” Haasan explained.
Discussing his distinctive bald look in the film, Haasan emphasized the importance of creating something unique. “We had many discussions about the look, aiming to avoid anything I or others had done before. I envisioned something striking that would turn heads. When I learned Amit ji was involved, I thought of coming with armor, but Prabhas had that covered. I didn’t want to replicate Sumathi’s character either. With a good director, even that could have been possible,” the 69-year-old actor joked.
The team traveled to Los Angeles to perfect Haasan’s appearance. “We failed a few times before achieving the right look. It was a collaborative effort. I hope the audience reacts as positively as we did when we first saw it,” Haasan added.
Reflecting on his initial reaction to being approached for “Kalki 2898 AD,” Haasan described director Nag Ashwin as an ordinary man with extraordinary ideas, akin to his mentor, the legendary filmmaker K Balachander. “I’m used to ordinary-looking people doing extraordinary things. My mentor, K Balachander, was such a man. He looked like a government official but made remarkable films. I never underestimate these ordinary-looking guys. They have a hidden depth that only reveals itself in conversation. Ashwin is a man of few words but immense vision,” Haasan noted.
At the promotional event, Amitabh Bachchan presented the first ticket of “Kalki 2898 AD” to Haasan. The veteran actor fondly recalled watching Bachchan’s 1975 blockbuster “Sholay” weeks after its release. “I wish this had happened decades ago. I waited three weeks to watch ‘Sholay’… I never imagined I’d get a first day-first show ticket from Amitabh Bachchan himself. I was a film technician then, and now I’m an actor, but not much has changed,” Haasan reminisced.
Produced by Aswini Dutt of Vyjayanthi Movies, “Kalki 2898 AD” is set for a theatrical release on June 27. This highly anticipated film promises to captivate audiences with its stellar cast, unique characters, and compelling narrative.
