New Delhi 28 June 2024 Punjab Khabarnama : ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ is a modern adaptation of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. More than being a film adaptation, it is almost like a sequel or manifestation of Lord Krishna’s verse from Bhagavaad Gita’s Chapter 4 verse 7 and 8: ‘Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham’, which loosely translates to: ‘Whenever righteousness and truth sees a decline and an increase in all of wrondoing, O Arjun, at that time I manifest Myself on earth. To protect the righteous and to reestablish the principles of dharma I appear on this earth, age after age.’ In the Nag Ashwin film, Lord Vishnu’s 10th and final avatar iis to be born 6000 years after the occurrence of Mahabharata, and this incarnation is called Kalki, as in the scriptures. However, while the legend of Ashwatthama drives ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, another key moment that dawns towards the climax of the film is that Prabhas plays Karna’s incarnation in it.
Let’s revise a few chapters from Mahabhatara to find out who Karna is and his significance in the War.
Who is Karna
Karna also known as Radheya, Vasusena is one of the key tragic heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He is the son of the Sun God, Surya and princess Kunti( mother of the Pandavas). Karna was born to an unmarried Kunti in her teenage years. Fearing the reprimand of society over her premarital pregnancy, Kunti abandoned the newly born Karna in a basket on the Ganges. This basket is discovered and Karna is adopted and raised by foster parents.
Meanwhile, Karna grows up to be an accomplished warrior and becomes a loyal friend of Duryodhana. He joins Duryodhana’s side in the Kurkushetra war and dies in the battle to kill the third Pandana Arjuna.
Bhairava and Karna connection in Kalki 2898 AD
Karna’s plight in Mahabharata inspires Bhairava’s story in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. In fact, there are hints about Bhairava being a Karna avatar which are quite predominant in the Nag Ashwin film.
Prabhas plays Bhairava, the bounty hunter, who is an orphan. He is adopted by Captain, played by Dulquer Salmaan, who becomes his mentee.
Like Karna, Bhairava is an exceptional warrior, has never lost a fight. Despite a projected image, his heart is at the right place and is loyal to his close ones, in the film, Bujji-an AI powered car.
Bhairava’s connection with Karna is revealed towards the climax of the film where Prabhas undergoes an energy and vibe change and helps Ashwatthama( Amitabh Bachchan) save Deepika Padukone( Sumati aka Maa) who is pregnant with the unborn Vishnu avatar-Kalki.
Bhairava’s transformation into Karna is a visual treat for fans to watch. The cinematography and the flashbacks leading to the 3rd century BC showing the Kurukshetra war between Arjuna and Karna are simply stunning.
While Prabhas snaps out of his Karna avatar soon after he has helped Ashwatthama, who is the son of Duryodhana, to whom Karna pledged loyalty in Mahabharata, the Karna connection will perhaps be explored more in detail in the sequel to Kalki: 2898 AD.