Kalki Inspired by RDJ Movie, Not Harry Potter -Nag Ashwin

While Nag Ashwin's sci-fi extravaganza "Kalki 2898 AD" starring Superstar Prabhas continues to dominate the box office, comparisons to Hollywood blockbusters like "Harry Potter," "Dune," and "Mad Max" have been swirling. Ashwin has previously downplayed these connections, and recently shed light on the true inspirations behind his film.

Dispelling the "Harry Potter" comparisons, Ashwin revealed his film draws more heavily from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, particularly "Guardians of the Galaxy." He acknowledged the influence of superhero movies on his generation, but pinpointed "Guardians" for its focus on a ragtag team of heroes, a theme echoed in "Kalki." "Star Wars" was also a major influence, Ashwin admitted, stating his admiration for the franchise's space opera aesthetic. This influence is evident in the character of Harshith Reddy's Luke, who bears a resemblance to Luke Skywalker.

However, Ashwin completely debunked the idea of "Yaskin," played by Kamal Haasan, being inspired by Voldemort from "Harry Potter." Instead, he revealed their references stemmed from depictions of ancient Tibetan monks, known for their longevity. Haasan himself, according to Ashwin, drew inspiration from the character of Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray." The only "Harry Potter" connection Ashwin conceded was the naming of Vinay Kumar's character "Sirius," mirroring Sirius Black from the book series.

Meanwhile, "Kalki 2898 AD" continues its box office dominance, surpassing a staggering ₹1000 crore mark.