After watching the trailer, audiences drew parallels between the post-apocalyptic world of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and Hollywood movies like ‘Dune’ and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road.’
Now, Sung Choi, a concept illustrator and designer who has worked with Marvel Studios, Disney, and Warner Bros, has taken to social media to call out the makers of ‘Kalki 2898 AD,’ Vyjayanthi Movies, for seemingly copying his artwork.
Taking to his Twitter handle (X) Choi shared a collage featuring his illustration and a still from the film’s trailer, wrote on social media, “Unauthorized use of the artwork is a bad practice. This makes me question doing art in this lawless environment. @Kalki2898AD @VyjayanthiFilms #kalki2898ad.”
Soon after Choi criticised Vyjayanthi Movies for plagiarising his work, netizens came in support of the artist and slammed the production house. “I hope you pursue legal action if possible. This is awful,” wrote a user in the comments section of his Instagram post.
The film is set in the mythical and dystopian city of Varanasi and follows a journey from the Mahabharata in 3102 BC to 2898 AD. It centres on Kalki, the 10th avatar of the Hindu God, Vishnu.
‘Kalki 2898 AD,’ directed by Nag Ashwin, is one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. The film opened advance bookings worldwide over the weekend and received a good response with ticket sales shooting past $500K in international markets.
It stars Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani and Dulquer Salmaan in pivotal roles. The film is all set to release on 27th June, with its first screening in the USA on 26th June.