Soon after Kalki 2898 AD released on OTT, fans showed dissapointment with the cuts in the Prabhas starrer.
Prabhas’ epic blockbuster, Kalki 2898 AD, which took theatres by storm on June 27, 2024, has now landed on OTT platforms in multiple languages. Directed by Nag Ashwin, this cinematic phenomenon is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. Fans were quick to notice that the OTT version is over 5 minutes shorter, with a runtime of 2 hours and 55 minutes compared to the original theatrical release, which ran just over 3 hours. Hardcore fans of the movie took to social media to voice their disappointment, pointing out that several scenes featuring Prabhas, along with a few memorable moments that were well-received in theatres, had been cut from the OTT version.
While Netflix offers the Hindi version exclusively, Amazon Prime Video presents the film in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Notably, the OTT version has been trimmed by about 6 minutes from its original runtime of 3 hours and 1 minute, now clocking in at 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Curious about what was cut? Here’s a breakdown:
- Prabhas’ extensive introduction scene was trimmed to create a more streamlined experience.
- A segment where an elderly woman and a villain refer to Prabhas as “Kappa” (frog) has been removed, along with related scenes.
- The fight sequence following Prabhas’ introduction, where he battles two heavy men, was shortened.
- The ‘Ta Takkara’ song saw some beach scenes cut, and the entire sequence with Prabhas in a maroon outfit, after being expelled by Colony security, was deleted.
- The interval scene, featuring Deepika Padukone walking through a fiery tunnel, now includes new lyrics for the Theme of Kalki, and the interval card has been entirely removed.
- Minor tweaks were also made to the dubbing for a smoother viewing experience.
Internet Reviews Kalki 2898 AD
Since its digital release, Kalki 2898 AD has garnered mixed reactions. While some viewers appreciated the film’s standout moments, others felt that Arshad Warsi’s recent critique of Prabhas’ character, Bhairava, wasn’t entirely off the mark. Following the film’s OTT debut, online discussions have surfaced, with many leaning towards supporting Arshad Warsi’s perspective in the ongoing debate.
Arshad Warsi recently appeared on Samdish Bhati’s podcast Unfiltered by Samdish, where he candidly shared his thoughts on the film Kalki 2898 AD. While he praised Amitabh Bachchan’s performance, Warsi was critical of the film overall, especially Prabhas’ portrayal of his character. Warsi remarked, “I watched Kalki, and honestly, I didn’t like it. It pains me when… Amit ji was absolutely unbelievable.” He went on to express his disappointment with Prabhas’ character, saying, “Prabhas, I’m really sad. Why was he portrayed like a joker? I was expecting a Mad Max vibe, something like Mel Gibson. What have they done? I just don’t get why they make such choices.”
