As work on Kalki 2 gathers pace, director Nag Ashwin has responded to criticism surrounding his interpretation of the Mahabharata in the first film.
The filmmaker said those accusing him of distorting the epic should revisit the original text before drawing conclusions.
The debate began after a social media user compared the Karna-inspired antagonist in Akhil Akkineni’s Lenin with the portrayal of Karna in Kalki 2898 AD.
The user praised Lenin director Murali Kishor Abburu’s handling of the character while alleging that the climax of Kalki 2898 AD distorted Hindu mythology.
Nag Ashwin responded by sharing an excerpt from Bibek Debroy’s translation of the Mahabharata.
He referred to a passage from the Drona Vadha Parva in which Lord Krishna praises Karna while speaking to Arjuna.
“These are Sree Krishna’s own words to Arjuna in the Drona Vadha Parva. Please read the Mahabharata. I suggest the Bibek Debroy version. Or Google how many times Krishna praised Karna to Arjuna. I have the greatest respect for our history. I know what I’m doing. Wait for Part 2,” the director wrote.
Meanwhile, Kalki 2, starring Prabhas, is currently in production.
