Shooting of Kalki 2 is now happening in Hyderabad, and this has meant a reunion that has made the news. Bachchan and Haasan are working with each other after almost four decades, and this project continues the story of Kalki 2898 AD. People who watch films, and those who work in the industry, have shown a lot of excitement.
On the set: a reunion and what’s going on behind the scenes
On his website, Amitabh Bachchan put up photos of himself in his full Ashwatthama costume, and also a photo of him and Kamal Haasan hugging. The photos show that the two men get on well, and are both professionals; they’ve been shared a lot online, and have made older movie fans feel nostalgic. Bachchan said that they were ‘working together after a long time’ and mentioned their last film together.
The two actors being on set at the same time shows how big this sequel is. Lots of prosthetic makeup, detailed clothing, and a large set in Hyderabad means the production is now in a very busy stage of filming. This reunion also adds to the film’s star quality and the importance of the story, as the film is already part of a larger series of films.
Looking back: Geraftaar and Kalki
Bachchan and Haasan were last in a film together – Geraftaar – in 1985. This was a popular film, and also had other big names in Indian cinema at the time. Because of this history, their reunion in Kalki is both touching and important; it links together many years of Indian film. Fans remember the earlier film with affection.
Now, though, they’re working in a totally different sort of film. Kalki 2898 AD mixed stories from mythology with dystopian science fiction, and the sequel looks as though it will go into more detail about the characters, and make the visuals and the story even bigger. For both actors, Kalki 2 gives them a chance to work with each other again in a modern film which uses lots of special effects.
Kalki 2: the sequel and the bigger series
Directed by Nag Ashwin, the Kalki films are set in 2898 AD, in a futuristic Kashi, and are about a mission to protect a child who is thought to be Kalki, a figure from mythology. The first film started a series of films which mixes mythology, science fiction, and political plots. Kalki 2 now continues that series, with the main actors from the first film back for the sequel.
The first film did very well in the box office, and critics liked it, and it won awards – for example, Amitabh Bachchan won Best Supporting Actor at an important regional awards event. With major characters – like Supreme Yaskin – expected to be in the sequel and to have a bigger part in the story, the sequel will likely make the risks and the amount of time each character is on screen even greater. The fact that filming is going well in Hyderabad shows that a lot of money is being invested in the project.
Bachchan’s Sunday habit and his fans
Bachchan also used his website to say why he would not be able to do his usual Sunday meet-and-greet outside his house in Mumbai. He said he had to apologise to his fans for being in Hyderabad to film, and said ‘work comes first… then rest’. He has done the Sunday meet-and-greet for a long time, so his fans would have noticed he was not there.
Fans still came, even though he had told them he would be away, which shows the personal connection he has with those who admire him. The actor said he hoped to be able to start the routine again soon, and thanked his fans for their kindness. This mixture of dedication to his work, and being friendly to the public, makes people even more interested in Kalki 2.
What the reunion means for people who watch films, and for the film industry
For people who watch films, the two great actors working together again will mean memorable scenes, and more dramatic performances. Kamal Haasan’s part in the first film was not very big, but people have said his character will be much more important in the sequel. This makes people want to see what new conflicts and partnerships will happen in the Kalki story.
For the film industry, the Hyderabad filming shows that Indian cinema which has a lot of money put into it, and which is based on interesting ideas, is continuing to do well. Kalki 2 brings together famous actors who have been in films for a long time, modern production design, and a group of people who enjoyed the first film. As filming goes on, people will watch closely for previews, news about who is in the film, and when it will be released – all of which will shape what people expect from this ambitious sequel.
