Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD smashes records, set to surpass Rs 1,050cr globally

Director Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi epic “Kalki 2898 AD,” starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, is continuing its triumphant run at the box office, solidifying its status as a cinematic juggernaut. With its main competitor, Shankar’s “Indian 2” underperforming, “Kalki” has found renewed momentum, particularly in North America where it has recently outperformed Shah Rukh Khan’s “Pathaan” to become the second-highest grossing Indian film in the region.

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, “Kalki” demonstrated robust performance on its 20th day, earning an India nett collection of Rs 5.1 crore. This contrasts sharply with the Rs 3 crore earned by “Indian 2” on the same day. The Hindi version of “Kalki” alone brought in Rs 3.1 crore, indicating strong continued interest.

The Telugu version of the film collected Rs 1.4 crore, while the Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada versions garnered Rs 30 lakh, Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh respectively. On Tuesday, the 2D version of the film in the Telugu market saw an occupancy rate peak at 29.24% during night shows, following a steady climb throughout the day.

“Kalki 2898 AD” dominates the box office, outpacing competitors and setting sights on new records.

After surpassing “Pathaan” with a North American gross of over $17.5 million, “Kalki 2898 AD” is now chasing the record set by “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion,” another Prabhas-led blockbuster. The film’s global gross exceeded Rs 1,000 crore last Saturday, and it is on track to surpass Rs 1,050 crore by week’s end if current trends continue.

Critics have lauded the film, with The Indian Express’ Shubhra Gupta praising Amitabh Bachchan’s performance as Ashwatthama, which she described as “gravelly and towering.” Kamal Haasan’s role, though limited, was also highlighted for its impact. A sequel to “Kalki 2898 AD” is reportedly in development, sparking excitement and speculation among fans.

The sustained success of “Kalki 2898 AD” underscores the global appetite for well-crafted Indian cinema that blends traditional storytelling with modern cinematic technology. Its performance is a testament to the star power of its cast and the visionary direction of Nag Ashwin.