Kaliyugam 2064

“Kaliyugam 2064” is an newly released Telugu-Tamil bilingual post-apocalyptic psychological thriller, written and directed by Pramodh Sundar. Set in 2064, in a world where food, water, and presumably humans have vanished, this new movie stars Shraddha Srinath and Kishore in the lead roles and follows an organic farmer as he battles to reclaim his lost world.

The movie is set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has crumbled and the small surviving population is controlled by a vicious tribal order known as the Residents. They coerce through fear and violence meaning they’re willing to kill anyone who doesn’t comply. To answer that call, a new rebel faction called the Liberators emerges united to defeat evil and create a better world. The film traces the paths of its two leads, Pari (Shraddha Srinath), a resilient underdog, and Sketch (Kishore), an enigmatic gun-toting gangster.

Adjusting to this new survivalist reality comes at a cost, and the film examines what happens when the fight for survival surpasses humanity in a society that’s crumbled. As members of mankind make these life-or-death struggles, their darkest and noblest aspects emerge. The corrupt and desperate become hollow, and the best within humanity are awakened to defend what’s left of mankind. With a kickass performance by Shraddha Srinath, as Pari, the film’s heroine and centre of the narrative universe, her emotional rage and intensity to fight the darkness paint a complex and colourful picture, infusing hope amid a brutal, bleak world. Kishore’s unique connection to Sketch allows urgency and treachery to drive the electric narrative.

Though Kaliyugam has the ambition, the creative & technical setup and assured performances to make the leap, it ultimately trips on the pacing and scene coherence. The first act is a bit long stretched and while it’s followed by some really surprising twists that offer some welcome re-direction, the movie still ultimately falls short of its potential. Despite its shortcomings, its ambitious worldbuilding and emotional undertones cement it as a thought-provoking watch.

“Kaliyugam 2064,” the first feature film to be released in post-2019 India with these wild and reckless themes of survival, resistance, human coexistence, and resilience, is that movie. It’s an electrifying and contemplative film, one that even the most enthusiastic blockbuster junkies should go see, especially those who love dystopian thrillers filled with mesmerizing performances and hair-raising tales told through the lens of hard realities.