Allegations of art theft surround Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD trailer, drawing comparisons to South Korean artist’s work

Recently, controversy has erupted around the trailer for “Kalki 2898 AD,” starring Prabhas, as accusations of art plagiarism have surfaced. The focal point of the debate stems from striking resemblances between scenes in the trailer and the artwork of South Korean artist Sung Choi.

Choi took to Instagram to showcase a comparison between his original piece, titled “Crash Site of ARK,” created a decade ago, and a frame from the trailer of “Kalki 2898 AD.” Expressing dismay at the unauthorised use of his art, Choi labelled it malpractice, raising concerns about the challenges artists face in a seemingly lawless environment.

This revelation sparked a wave of reactions on social media, with users not only echoing Choi’s sentiments but also drawing parallels between the trailer and various existing works, including films like “Mad Max,” “Dune,” and series like “Halo” and “Death Stranding.”

Sung Choi’s credentials as a concept artist, having contributed to major productions for Marvel, Disney, and Netflix Animation, add weight to his claim of originality and expertise.

“Kalki 2898 AD” itself promises to be a groundbreaking venture in Indian cinema, blending elements of science fiction and mythology to portray a dystopian future intertwined with Hindu mythology’s prophesied end times and the arrival of Lord Vishnu’s final avatar, Kalki.

In addition to Prabhas, the film boasts a star-studded ensemble cast, including Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. This ambitious cinematic endeavour is highly anticipated, with its release scheduled for June 27. However, amidst the excitement, questions linger regarding the integrity of its artistic vision.