Even two years after its release, Kalki 2898 AD continues to spark heated debates on social media.
The latest controversy began after a user accused director Nag Ashwin of whitewashing Karna and presenting him in a heroic light, thereby hurting Hindu sentiments. Nag Ashwin responded by asking people to read the Mahabharata carefully, but his reply only intensified the debate.
Many users argued that Kalki highlighted Karna’s virtues while overlooking his darker actions. One complaint repeatedly surfacing online is that the film’s climax created the perception of “Karna > Arjuna,” especially among younger audiences who know the epic mainly through films and social media.
Now, the debate has taken an unexpected turn.
An old clip of S.S. Rajamouli has resurfaced and gone viral. In the clip, Rajamouli says: “Karna is a character I don’t think exists in real life. He never abandoned his philosophy of gratitude despite his personal suffering. That’s why he’s larger than life. If I make a movie on Karna, I’ll choose Prabhas.”
The clip has now become part of the ongoing discussion, with some users accusing Rajamouli too of glorifying Karna.
Over the years, Karna has fascinated writers, filmmakers, and scholars because he is one of the Mahabharata’s most emotionally complex characters. Showcasing his loyalty, generosity, or tragic journey is not the same as claiming he was morally superior to Krishna or Arjuna.
In fact, Telugu cinema has celebrated Karna long before Kalki. Decades ago, N.T. Rama Rao himself made films like Daana Veera Soora Karna and Srimad Virata Parvam, where Karna was glorified over the Pandavas. Those films also explored the character’s emotional journey and remain classics even today.
The Mahabharata has hundreds of unforgettable characters. Some filmmakers may choose to tell Karna’s story, while others may focus on Arjuna, Bhima, Krishna, or any other character. Perhaps that is the best way to view such films. They are cinematic interpretations inspired by the Mahabharata, not the Mahabharata itself.
Every filmmaker brings a different perspective, and audiences are equally free to agree, disagree, or debate those creative choices.
With Kalki 2 still years away, it appears the debate around Karna is only getting bigger. If even Rajamouli is being dragged into the discussion, Nag Ashwin can expect the mythology debate to continue right up until the sequel’s release, and perhaps even after.
