Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD has won two honours at the 72nd National Film Awards, with the film receiving the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award and Nitin Zihani Choudhary winning Best Production Design.
The Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment award was presented to the film's director Nag Ashwin and producer C. Aswani Dutt under the banner Vyjayanthi Movies, recognising the overall achievement of Kalki 2898 AD. The film brought together science fiction, mythology, action and drama on a large scale, while creating a futuristic world rooted in Indian storytelling.
The film's production design also received individual recognition, with Nitin Zihani Choudhary winning the award for Best Production Design. This was one of the key creative departments behind the film's distinctive visual world, from the futuristic spaces of Kashi to the different environments that shape the story.
Kalki 2898 AD required the production design team to create multiple worlds with their own visual identities. The futuristic setting had to coexist with elements inspired by Indian mythology, making the design an important part of establishing the film's larger universe.
The two awards recognise different aspects of the film's achievement. While the Best Popular Film honour acknowledges the film as a complete cinematic experience, the Production Design award specifically recognises the detailed visual work that helped build its world.
For Nag Ashwin and producer C. Aswani Dutt, the National Award adds another major recognition to their ambitious sci-fi epic, while Nitin Zihani Choudhary's win highlights the extensive craft behind the film's visual design.