Indian cinema witnessed the birth of a new movie franchise, with the release of Kalki 2898 AD. Director Nag Ashwin and his team treated the cine-goers by making an engaging sci-fi film, which is deeply rooted in Indian mythology, and the epic Mahabharata. Telugu superstar Prabhas appeared as Bhairava in the film, which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan in the other pivotal roles. Prabhas’ performance highly impressed the audiences, and the movie hints that the actor has a bigger part to play in the upcoming sequel.

Kalki 2898 AD: Meet Prabhas’ Bhairava

The epic sci-fi film introduces Prabhas’ character Bhairava as the great fighter, who is well-known for his physical prowess. He is famous in all worlds including the much-hidden Shambala, and is a hero to many youngsters. However, Bhairava is not a righteous man, as most of them think of him. He is a self-admittedly selfish man, who doesn’t think twice before doing what is right for him. Interestingly, the character’s only emotional anchor is his highly-intelligent robot Bujji (voiced by Keerthy Suresh), who has no proper body yet. It is Bujji who keeps Bhairava grounded, and talks some sense into him.

As per the protagonist’s narration, he was left alone as an infant at a war place, where Captain (the character played by Dulquer Salmaan) finds him. Captain brought him up, trained him in almost everything, and taught him to be selfish in the modern world. However, as Bhairava narrates his flashback, Bujji is notably seen saying that he changes the back story every week. From this hint, it is safe to assume that there is much more to Bhairava’s birth and Captain’s role in his life, than he revealed.

Who is Bhairava – Karna or Kashi’s Kaal Bhairav?

The first half of Kalki 2898 AD hints that Bhairava could be an incarnation of Kaal Bhairav, the God who sits on his ride dog and safeguards Kashi. The epic interval sequence, in which Bhairava safeguards a group of people from a massive chakra that falls, hints at the same. However, the Immortal Ashwatthama, the epic character played by Amitabh Bachchan visualises him as his long-lost best friend Karna, from epic Mahabharata. He is prompted to believe that Bhairava could be Karna, as he manages to use the legendary character’s powerful weapon quite efficiently.

Even though there is no clarity on who Bhairava actually is yet, it is safe to assume that Kalki 2898 AD sequel might revolve around his redemption, and journey to selflessness. Bhairava is indeed destined to support Ashwatthama in his mission to protect the unborn his Kalki and his mother, Sumati from Supreme Yaskin. The second installment is expected to throw light into Bhairava’s birth secret, his real parents, and the actual identity of his foster father Captain, who never seems to age.

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