Culture news This sci-fi film is the most expensive in the history of Indian cinema: the storyline covers a period of 6000 years!
After going through difficulties, the Dune cinematographic saga asserts itself with the productions of Denis Villeneuve. However, an unexpected competition emerges from India with a film that intrigues with its similarities with the work of Frank Herbert and arouses great expectations among moviegoers.
A success in cinema
After a complicated history in the cinema, the Dune saga has finally been established thanks to the films of Denis Villeneuve. With its crazy casting (Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet), and their breathtaking photography, the two feature films made everyone agree. They even secured the license for a third part. In any case, the teams are giving themselves the means to succeed: A Second Part cost around 190 million dollars. However, a strange competition is coming from India. A film which closely resembles the story written by Frank Herbert and which is really curious.
An Indian Dune
First shown at San Diego Comic-Con last year, its trailer immediately sparked discussion among audiences. Kalki 2898 Ad, directed by Nag Ashwin, is an Indian blockbuster that is attracting attention, particularly because of its record budget in the country and its similarities with the famous Dune saga. It would have cost more than 72 million US dollars, which would make it the most expensive Indian film ever made. As we told you, from its beginnings, Internet users noticed that this Indian film shared points in common with Denis Villeneuve’s franchise, based on the novels by Frank Herbert.
It was in particular its aesthetic that really stood out, with this mixture of post-apocalyptic fantasy and science fiction. Even sand seems to be an important element. And since it’s easier to compare with imageswe let you discover the trailer for Kalki 2898 AD.
We should follow a journey that will take place over several millennia. To tell the truth, it’s quite difficult to think ahead and imagine showing so many years in a single film. Either way, the plot will center on Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu. “We tried to create worlds, imagining what they would look like while keeping them Indian and not making them look like Blade Runner”, tells director Nag Ashwin to Deadline. Coming back to these unusual ambitions, during an interview with Deadline, the film’s star Prabhas Raju pointed out that “Kalki 2898 AD” targets an international audience, thus justifying its impressive budget for an Indian production. More than waiting the end of June to find out if Kalki is worth it. However, it is unclear if it will be distributed in as many theaters as Dune 2