Home » News » As Kalki 2898 AD streams on OTT, look at Amitabh Bachchan's unforgettable South Indian film roles
As Kalki 2898 AD streams on OTT, look at Amitabh Bachchan's unforgettable South Indian film roles
Amitabh Bachchan has carved a legacy in South Indian cinema with his powerful performances and epic tales.
Aug 22, 2024
Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Kalki 2898 AD
Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary icon of Indian cinema, has not only left an indelible mark on Bollywood but has also made significant contributions to South Indian cinema. His foray into the southern film industry has seen him in diverse and powerful roles, ranging from historical figures to mythical warriors, showcasing his unparalleled versatility. As his latest venture, the highly anticipated epic science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD, streams on Prime Video and Netflix, it's a fitting moment to revisit some of the South Indian films where Bachchan's presence has left a lasting impact on audiences across languages.
Amrithadhare (YouTube)
Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, Ramesh Aravind, and Chandrashekhar themselves are men behind the 2005 Kannada romance drama Amruthadhare. Dhyan and Ramya are the main actors in the movie, and Amitabh Bachchan plays himself in a cameo appearance.
In the film, Amrutha (Ramya) and Puru (Dhyan) are a married couple, but they act like lovers. They argue occasionally despite their mutual fondness for one another. Both Amrutha and Puru are wasteful with their money. He wants to build a house, while she wants a child to start a family. The film chronicles their struggles as they negotiate the contemporary matrimonial landscape. There is a powerful social message in the film about the loneliness that comes from having a big house but no one to fill it.
Kandahar (Disney+ Hotstar and ShemarooMe [OTTplay Premium])
Major Ravi wrote and directed the 2010 Malayalam war film Kandahar. Following 2006's Keerthi Chakra and 2008's Kurukshetra, Mohanlal returns to the role of Major Mahadevan in this third film in the series. The film also features Amitabh Bachchan, who made his Malayalam cinema debut, and Ganesh Venkatraman. The makers also released Kandahar's original Tamil and Hindi dubs.
Indian Airlines Flight 814's 1999 hijacking serves as the plot's inspiration. From an Indian point of view, the film depicts the political situation. Major Mahadevan and his team embark on a mission to deal with an international terrorist organisation after a squad of extremely violent terrorists hijacks a plane.
Manam (ZEE5 [OTTplay Premium]; Sun NXT [OTTplay Premium]; Disney+ Hotstar)
Vikram Kumar wrote and directed the 2014 Telugu fantasy drama film Manam under the Akkineni family's Annapurna Studios banner. The movie features Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya, Shriya Saran, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, and the late Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The film explores themes of reincarnation and everlasting love across multiple time periods, spanning from the early 20th century to the present day (2013). In the story, we see Nageswara Rao (Nagarjuna) as a rich businessman who tries to unite a young couple who seem like his late parents, and we also see Nageswara Rao (Nagarjuna) as the old man Chaitanya, who tries to unite the businessman with a doctor. They look a lot like the parents who died as a result of an error Chaitanya made when he was a child.
Promoted as a befitting send-off and a tribute by his son Nagarjuna, Manam was Nageswara Rao's final feature film, who passed away on January 22, 2014, while filming was underway. Critically and financially, the film was a smashing success upon its debut. It became beloved by a group of dedicated fans and is often regarded as a masterpiece of Telugu cinema.
In the film, Amitabh Bachchan makes a special appearance as Pratap Ji.
Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy (Prime Video)
Directed by Surender Reddy and produced by Ram Charan under the aegis of Konidela Production Company, 2019's Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy is an epic historical action film in Telugu. The Paruchuri brothers pitched the idea for the film, and Reddy wrote the screenplay. The film is fictional, based on the true story of Andhra Pradesh native and Indian freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy. Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Ravi Kishan, Jagapathi Babu, Sudeepa, and Tamannaah Bhatia are all part of the ensemble cast that includes Chiranjeevi, who plays the lead role. Anushka Shetty and Amitabh Bachchan feature as special guests. Pawan Kalyan, Kamal Haasan, and Mohanlal provided the film's narration in their respective languages. The film portrays Narasimha Reddy's struggle against the British East India Company's control. Amitabh Bachchan plays Guru Gosayi Venkanna, who taught Reddy philosophy and combat.
Kalki 2898 AD (Prime Video & Netflix)
Nag Ashwin directs Kalki 2898 AD, a 2024 Telugu-language epic science fiction film, while Vyjayanthi Movies produces it. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. It is the first entry in a planned Kalki Cinematic Universe that draws inspiration from Hindu scriptures. Set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2898 AD, the film follows a select group who are on a mission to save lab subject SUM-80's unborn child, Kalki.
Amitabh Bachchan portrays Ashwatthama, the son of Dronacharya, a sage and warrior, and an ally of the Kauravas, cursed with immortality for his attempt to kill an unborn Parikshith. He has since roamed the Earth for nearly six thousand years.
Vettaiyan
T. J. Gnanavel, the writer and director of Tamil action drama Vettaiyan, is produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under Lyca Productions. An ensemble cast including Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan (making his Tamil debut), Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, Manju Warrier, and Dushara Vijayan round out the cast. Theatres around the world will welcome Vettaiyan on October 10, 2024, right in time for Dusshera.
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