Director Nag Ashwin confirms 'Kalki 2898 AD' sequel; promises more screen time for Prabhas

Director Nag Ashwin has confirmed that Kalki 2898 AD, which took the box office by storm last year, is set for a sequel. The much-anticipated film, starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan, was widely appreciated for its VFX and ambitious storytelling. During a recent media interaction, Ashwin shared a major update, revealing that the sequel’s production will begin in December 2025.

While Kalki 2898 AD impressed audiences with its futuristic setting and mythological elements, fans of Prabhas were left wanting more, as his character Bhairava had limited screen time. Addressing this, Nag Ashwin clarified that the first film primarily set up the story and introduced the characters of Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) and Sumati (Deepika Padukone). He assured fans that the second part will revolve heavily around Karna (Prabhas) and Ashwatthama, offering Prabhas a much bigger role in the storyline.

Ashwin, who made his directorial debut with Yevade Subramanyam, made this announcement during the 10th-anniversary celebration of his first film. While speaking to the media, he confirmed that preparations for Kalki 2898 AD Part 2 are underway and that filming will commence in December this year. Earlier, in a conversation with Prabhas during an Instagram Live session, Ashwin had stated that the sequel would take around three years to complete.

Despite some criticism over Prabhas' limited screen time, Kalki 2898 AD emerged as a massive blockbuster. Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of Ashwatthama received widespread acclaim, and the film’s visually stunning effects added to its appeal. According to Sacnilk, the movie grossed an impressive ₹1,042.25 crore worldwide, with ₹646.31 crore coming from India alone.

The first part of Kalki 2898 AD was set in a dystopian future and blended Indian mythology with a sci-fi narrative. Prabhas played Bhairava, a bounty hunter from the futuristic city of Kasi, while Amitabh Bachchan portrayed the immortal warrior Ashwatthama. Deepika Padukone’s character SUM-80 was revealed to be carrying the last divine avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kalki, making her central to the plot. Kamal Haasan played Yaskin, the main antagonist.

Apart from Kalki 2898 AD Part 2, Prabhas has multiple films lined up. He will next be seen in The Raaja Saab, a romantic horror-comedy directed by Maruthi, where he plays a triple role alongside Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Sanjay Dutt. The release date is yet to be announced. Additionally, he is set to star in Fauji (directed by Hanu Raghavapudi), Spirit (directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga), and Brahmarakshas (directed by Prasanth Varma).

With the Kalki 2898 AD sequel now officially in development, fans can look forward to a larger-than-life cinematic experience, with Prabhas taking center stage in the next chapter of this epic saga.