Nag Ashwin on Kalki 2898 AD's National Award double and the road to Part 2

Director Nag Ashwin is celebrating after Kalki 2898 AD (2024) picked up two National Film Awards, including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Reports differ on the second honour. One account lists it as Best Production Design, while another names Best Special Effects. Ashwin called the double win special, and it reportedly marks his second National Award after Mahanati.

Ashwin said awards rarely cross his mind while a film is being made, but Kalki was an exception when it came to building its world. He felt the team was attempting things that seemed close to impossible, and he was glad that effort was recognised. The crew was spread across different places when the news came, yet he said everyone shared a deep sense of gratitude and joy.

On working with a cast that included Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Kamal Haasan, Ashwin said the star power did not swamp the story. Instead, it pushed him to stay sharp and make sure every scene did justice to the actors. He named the climax, where Ashwatthama (Amitabh) takes on Bhairava (Prabhas) in the AI car Bujji, and the Mahabharata portions as the hardest stretches, because the action had to carry real story beats.

Attention now turns to the sequel, Kalki 2898 AD Part 2. According to reports, regular shooting is set to begin in October 2026, with the team aiming to finish by mid-2027. Reports also say the timeline depends on Prabhas, who is currently busy with Fauzi and still has Spirit to complete before joining the Kalki 2 sets. Young fans of the first film are said to be constantly asking the director when the next part will start.

Ashwin said the goal after the box office run and the awards is to stay honest to the story and make a film that lasts. He also noted that Kalki has encouraged other filmmakers to try the genre, so some ideas he wrote seven years ago may need a fresh look.