Kali

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About the movie :

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Kali Movie Cast and Crew :

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Kali Budget & Box Office Details :

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Kali Review :

A supernatural thriller with strong mythological influences, focusing on themes of good versus evil.

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Kali Awards & Nominations :

Upcoming release; no awards yet.

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Kali OTT Details :

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Lesser known facts :

Inspired by Mythology but Rooted in Realism:

The film draws inspiration from the concept of Kali Purusha from Indian mythology, representing the destructive force of the Kali Yuga. Director Siva Sashu crafted the story during the second COVID-19 lockdown, aiming to address the sensitive topic of suicide by blending mythological undertones with a grounded narrative about mental health, though the execution was criticized for lacking depth.

 

Rejected by Multiple Producers:

Siva Sashu revealed that the script for Kali was turned down by several producers due to its unconventional narrative and heavy theme of suicide. It was only after Prince Cecil and Naresh Agastya agreed to star that the project gained traction under Rudra Creations, highlighting the challenges of pitching a low-budget, message-driven film.

 

Priyadarshi’s Voice-Only Role:

Comedian-actor Priyadarshi lent his voice to the character Bali, a pivotal figure in the narrative, without appearing on screen. This casting choice was a last-minute decision to add a recognizable voice to enhance the character’s impact, though it wasn’t heavily promoted in the marketing.

 

Short Runtime, Big Ambitions:

At just 91 minutes, Kali was intentionally kept concise to fit a taut thriller format, but the director’s ambition to weave in mythological references and social commentary led to a rushed narrative. Critics noted that the film might have worked better as a short film due to its pacing issues and underdeveloped subplots.

 

VFX-Driven Climax:

The film heavily relied on visual effects to depict the psychological and fantastical elements of the Othello game between Shivaram and the mysterious stranger. Siva Sashu emphasized the VFX as a storytelling tool, but budget constraints resulted in uneven quality, with some scenes appearing unpolished, as per audience feedback.

 

Naresh Agastya’s Improvised Performance:

Naresh Agastya, who plays the mysterious stranger, improvised several of his dialogues to bring intensity to his role. His performance was a highlight, with critics praising his ability to carry scenes despite the weak screenplay, though he had to work with minimal rehearsal time due to the tight shooting schedule.

 

Quick OTT Turnaround:

Kali secured an OTT deal with ETV Win before its theatrical release on October 4, 2024, and began streaming just 13 days later on October 17, 2024. This rapid transition was driven by the film’s low budget and the makers’ confidence in recovering costs through digital rights, a strategy that proved successful despite the film’s theatrical underperformance.

 

Song Lyrics as a Narrative Device:

All songs in the film, penned by Ramajogayya Sastry, were designed to reflect the emotional turmoil of Shivaram’s journey. However, the songs were criticized as “speedbreakers” that disrupted the thriller’s momentum, and some were trimmed in the final cut to tighten the runtime.

 

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