Nag Ashwin says Kalki 2898 AD Part 2 shoot begins next month, eyes mid-2027 wrap

Kalki 2898 AD director Nag Ashwin has revealed a major update on the much-awaited sequel in an exclusive conversation with India Today. The filmmaker confirmed that regular shooting for Part 2 will begin October 2026 and is expected to wrap by the middle of 2027. The update comes soon after the first film won two National Film Awards – Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Special Effects – a recognition Ashwin describes as a “good energy boost” for the team.The sequel has been one of the most anticipated projects since Kalki 2898 AD ended its theatrical run, and Ashwin now says work is moving into a more regular shooting phase.“We’re starting the shoot regularly from next month and, hopefully, it should be done with the shoot by mid next year,” he told us.Looking back at the making of the first film, Ashwin said what stands out most is the sheer journey of taking Kalki 2898 AD from an idea on paper to a film that connected with audiences across the country and beyond. “I think it's the long journey of making the film from a blank piece of paper to what it turned out on screen on the first day of release. And the fact that it connected with the whole country and so many parts of the world, I think it's the journey that first comes to mind,” he said.For the filmmaker, however, the film’s biggest validation came well before the National Awards. It was the response from audiences – and the fact that they’re still asking about the sequel – that made the biggest impact. “I think the box office result was a validation, and kids coming up to me even two years after the release and saying they are eagerly waiting for Part 2 is the validation. The National Award is definitely a good energy boost for us to keep working in the right direction,” Ashwin said.Nag Ashwin reacts to film’s National AwardsThe two National Awards, held at the 72nd National Film Awards held on September 22, have given the film another significant moment of recognition, particularly for the technical ambition behind its world. Ashwin said he had hoped the film would be recognised for its production design and is pleased that the team’s work has received that acknowledgement.“Ideally, I wanted the film to be recognised for its production design, and I'm very happy that that has happened. We really did some amazing and impossible things, and full credit to the massive team behind it,” he said.The recognition also comes as a validation of the scale at which Ashwin and his team approached the film. Despite combining mythology with science fiction and building an elaborate futuristic world, the director said he never wanted Kalki 2898 AD to feel like a film made only for a niche audience.“I approached the film as a mainstream entertainer. I didn't want to make it for a niche audience. I wanted it to be as accessible to all kinds of audiences as possible because I felt the story deserved to travel as much as it can,” he explained. That ambition appears to have shaped the film’s journey, from its theatrical response to the continued curiosity around its sequel. Now, with Part 2 moving towards its regular shooting schedule, Ashwin and his team have another massive world to build.Kalki 2898 AD features Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Dulquer Salmaan, Kamal Haasan and Deepika Padukone in key roles. The sequel will continue the expansive story established in the first film.- EndsPublished On: Sep 23, 2026 06:27 IST