Kalki 2898 AD wins 2 National Awards: makers vow to make Kalki 2 worth the wait
Synopsis
Kalki 2898 AD has done what few big-budget Indian spectacles manage — turned box-office dominance into institutional recognition. Two National Awards, including Best Popular Film, give Vyjayanthi Movies and director Nag Ashwin rare dual credibility as they head into Kalki 2, now carrying the weight of both fan expectation and national honour.
Key Takeaways
Kalki 2898 AD won two awards at the 72nd National Film Awards announced on 18 July .
The film took home Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Production Designer .
The awards were announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the National Media Centre, New Delhi .
Production house Vyjayanthi Movies issued a statement crediting the win to the entire cast, crew, and audience.
The makers promised to 'make the wait for Kalki 2 worth it' in their post-win message.
The makers of director Nag Ashwin's science-fiction epic Kalki 2898 AD on Saturday, 18 July expressed deep gratitude after the film clinched two honours at the 72nd National Film Awards, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the National Media Centre in New Delhi. The recognition has reignited excitement around the film's already-anticipated sequel, Kalki 2.
The Two Awards
Kalki 2898 AD won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award and the Award for Best Production Designer at the 72nd National Film Awards. The production design win is particularly significant — the film's visual world-building, which blended Vedic mythology with a dystopian future, had drawn widespread critical attention since its release.
What Vyjayanthi Movies Said
Production house Vyjayanthi Movies, which backed the film, issued a formal statement shortly after the announcement. 'We are deeply honoured and grateful to receive these 72nd National Awards for Kalki 2898 AD,' the statement read. 'To be recognised with the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Production Design is incredibly humbling for all of us.'
The production house added that the film was 'born from a dream — to tell an Indian story that could stand on a truly global canvas while remaining rooted in our culture, mythology and emotions.' It credited the win to 'every member of our cast, every technician, every crew member, and everyone who poured their heart into bringing this vision to life, often pushing the boundaries of what seemed possible.'
A Promise on Kalki 2
In a message directed at fans, Vyjayanthi Movies also took to its social media timelines to write: 'Humbled and Grateful. This recognition is a celebration of every artist, technician, and every heart behind Kalki 2898 AD. Thank you for believing in our vision and making this journey truly special.' The production house followed that with a direct pledge: 'The next chapter carries not just our vision, but your belief. We promise to make the wait for Kalki 2 worth it.'
Why the Recognition Matters
Winning the Best Popular Film category at the National Awards is a rare convergence of commercial success and institutional recognition — a distinction that few big-budget Indian spectacles have achieved. Kalki 2898 AD, which starred Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan, was among the highest-grossing Indian films of its release year and drew comparisons to Hollywood-scale mythology-driven productions. The Best Production Designer win further cements the film's legacy as a technical milestone in Indian cinema.
The 72nd National Film Awards cover films released in 2024. With the sequel now carrying the weight of both audience expectation and national recognition, all eyes will be on Nag Ashwin and Vyjayanthi Movies as they move into the next chapter of this ambitious franchise.
Point of View
That shift in institutional appetite matters. The real question now is whether Kalki 2 can sustain the ambition under the added pressure of national recognition — sequels to award-winning blockbusters carry a heavier burden than their originals, and Nag Ashwin's track record, while impressive, has yet to be tested at this level of expectation twice in a row.
NationPress
19 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which awards did Kalki 2898 AD win at the 72nd National Film Awards?
Kalki 2898 AD won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award and the Award for Best Production Designer at the 72nd National Film Awards, announced on 18 July by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Who made Kalki 2898 AD?
Kalki 2898 AD was directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by Vyjayanthi Movies. The film starred Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan.
What did the makers of Kalki 2898 AD say after winning the National Awards?
Production house Vyjayanthi Movies said it was 'deeply honoured and grateful' and credited the recognition to every cast member, technician, and crew. It also pledged to make the wait for the sequel Kalki 2 'worth it'.
What is the significance of the Best Popular Film award at the National Awards?
The Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award recognises films that achieve wide commercial appeal while maintaining quality — a rare convergence of box-office success and institutional recognition for a big-budget production like Kalki 2898 AD.
When will Kalki 2 release?
No official release date for Kalki 2 has been announced as of the time of the National Awards declaration. Vyjayanthi Movies has only stated that it promises to make the wait 'worth it'.
