Nag Ashwin’s sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD, featuring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, has stirred up a mix of reactions following its OTT release. The movie, which debuted on Netflix in Hindi and on Prime Video in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada, has sparked discussions online, especially after actor Arshad Warsi’s candid critique of Prabhas’ performance.

Diverse Reactions to Kalki 2898 AD

Since its digital release, Kalki 2898 AD has garnered mixed reviews. Some viewers found the film engaging, while others agreed with Arshad Warsi’s critical assessment of Prabhas’ portrayal of Bhairava.

Arshad Warsi’s Criticism

In a recent podcast, Arshad Warsi shared his honest opinion about Kalki 2898 AD. Warsi expressed disappointment with the film, particularly targeting Prabhas’ role. He said, “Maine Kalki dekhi, mujhe toh nhi acchi lagi. Mujhe bahut takleef hoti hai jab… Amit ji was unbelievable. I can’t understand that man. I swear if we got the power he has, life ban jaae.” He further criticized Prabhas, stating, “Prabhas, I am really sad, why was he… he was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana dia yaar.”

READ: Arshad Warsi Criticizes Prabhas’ Role in ‘Kalki 2898 AD,’ Calls Him a Joker

This comment from Warsi has not gone unnoticed. Some social media users have taken sides, with several agreeing with his viewpoint. They have taken to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their thoughts on the film and Prabhas’ performance.

Online Reactions and Debate

The critique from Warsi has spurred a range of reactions online:

• One user wrote, “#Kalki2898AD: The story deserved a better film. Still a lot to like. Highlights for me were all things ‘avatar,’ hopefully, future parts are more of that & not the discount Hollywood sci-fi scraps. Arshad Warsi is wrong. Jokers are funny and Prabhas is spectacularly unfunny.”
• Another shared comparisons between Prabhas’ role in Kalki 2898 AD and his previous film, Adipurush, stating, “#ArshadWarsi didn’t say anything wrong here. He didn’t like the character Prabhas was playing and one should be critical about that. Prabhas was literally a joker in #Kalki tbvh, he was having all cringy scenes in the film.”
• A separate comment read, “Prabhas is no doubt a Pan India star, but except Baahubali, he hasn’t done anything called Acting Masterclass. His Kalki look is cringe. Arshad Warsi is 100% right.”

Counterpoints and Additional Opinions

While many sided with Warsi, others offered different perspectives:

• An Allu Arjun fan tweeted, “Saw Kalki today on Netflix. The movie was average. But I agree with @ArshadWarsi sir. #Prabhas was like a joker in the movie. He is the biggest disappointment in my opinion. I think @alluarjun would have done a great job.”
• Some fans of the film and its stars have criticized the negative feedback. One comment read, “What Arshad actually tried to convey is that a star like Prabhas deserves better character treatment than what was offered in Kalki. We fanboys can be brutal with the slightest criticism of our favs but Actors like Nani should have shown more maturity.”

Additionally, a few viewers felt that Kalki 2898 AD should have focused more on its Mahabharata sequences rather than its sci-fi elements. One user suggested, “I didn’t like Kalki. But am I the only one who thinks the Mahabharata sequences had some potential in the movie? I wish the whole movie continued THIS serious tone of the scene.”

Industry Reactions

The film’s release and the ensuing critique have also drawn responses from other industry figures. Actors Sudheer Babu, Siddhu Jonnalagadda, and Nani have all weighed in, with Nani, in particular, criticizing Warsi’s comparison of Prabhas to a ‘joker.’

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