Kalki 2898 AD brought together two acting legends in 2024, with Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan delivering powerhouse performances that elevated the sci-fi epic. Big B portrayed Ashwatthama, the immortal warrior from the Mahabharata, while Haasan took on the role of Yaskin, the film’s antagonist ruling over the futuristic complex. Their combined presence became one of the film’s greatest strengths, often overshadowing even leads Prabhas and Deepika Padukone.
However, their collaboration in Kalki 2898 AD wasn’t the first time these two titans were meant to share the screen. Decades earlier, a different story unfolded—one that reveals the competitive nature of stardom in the 1980s.
The Shelved Project: Khabardar
During the peak of Bachchan’s career in the 1980s, while Kamal Haasan was steadily rising as a force in Indian cinema, the two were cast together in Khabardar, a social drama directed by T Rama Rao. The film centered on the relationship between a terminally ill patient and his doctor, with Bachchan playing the physician. Jaya Prada and Sridevi were also part of the cast.
Despite significant portions being filmed, production halted unexpectedly. In a late 1990s interview, Haasan confirmed the film’s abrupt end, mentioning he received only half his remuneration.
What Really Happened?
The full story emerged years later when director K Bhagyaraj shed light on why Khabardar never reached completion. According to him, the issue stemmed from the script itself and how it positioned the two actors.
The narrative required Haasan’s character to die—a plot point essential to the story. However, this dramatic arc meant Haasan would command the emotional weight of the film, potentially leaving Bachchan’s doctor character less memorable in audiences’ minds.
Bhagyaraj explained that this imbalance concerned Bachchan, who felt his established star persona might be diminished. Rather than risk his carefully built reputation, Bachchan reportedly decided to exit the project. To compensate the producers for the disruption, he offered them bulk shooting dates for future projects.
A Later Reunion
Though Khabardar never materialized, Bachchan and Haasan did eventually collaborate in 1985’s Geraftar, finally sharing screen space. The contrast between that 1980s tension and their 2024 reunion in Kalki 2898 AD—where both veterans shine without apparent rivalry—illustrates how time, maturity, and secure legacies can transform professional relationships. Today, both actors are celebrated icons whose contributions to cinema are beyond question, making their collaboration in Kalki 2898 AD a true celebration of their craft.RetryClaude can make mistakes.
