“Kalki 2898 AD,” directed by Nag Ashwin and starring prominent actors such as Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan
The upcoming Indian sci-fi film “Kalki 2898 AD,” directed by Nag Ashwin and starring prominent actors such as Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan, is facing serious plagiarism allegations from Hollywood concept artists. Both Sung Choi and Oliver Beck have accused the film’s production team, Vyjayanthi Movies, of unauthorized use of their artwork.
Sung Choi, who has worked with major studios like Marvel, Disney, and Warner Bros., pointed out that a frame from the “Kalki 2898 AD” trailer closely resembles his 10-year-old artwork. He took to social media to share a side-by-side comparison of his original piece and the frame from the film, criticizing the makers for what he described as a “bad practice” in a “lawless environment”.
Similarly, Oliver Beck, known for his work on “Star Trek: Prodigy,” alleged that his matte painting from the series was also used without permission in the “Kalki 2898 AD” trailer. Beck highlighted the similarities by posting images of his original artwork alongside the contested frame from the film trailer. He expressed disappointment, noting that this was the second instance of artwork theft by the same film.
Despite the growing backlash and calls for legal action from netizens, the makers of “Kalki 2898 AD” have not yet responded to these allegations. The film, which blends elements of Hindu mythology with a futuristic setting, is set to release on June 27, 2024, and has already drawn comparisons to other sci-fi epics like “Dune” and “Mad Max: Fury Road”.
The controversy underscores ongoing issues of intellectual property rights and artistic integrity in the film industry, with many calling for stricter regulations and more respect for original creators’ works.
