The Kalki Movie and the Bhagavad Gita: Making Sense of It

The Kalki movie has received an overwhelming response at the box office. How can we make sense of this movie through the lens of the Bhagavad Gita? I’ll discuss three aspects: connection, concoction, and conception.

Connection:

It’s a positive development that the tradition is being connected with popular culture, as this is what reaches the masses. Through such depictions, themes and characters from our tradition are introduced to a wider audience. Even for those who were exposed to these characters in their childhood, these figures re-enter their consciousness. So, any connection established, even through popular culture, is inherently beneficial. The scriptures tell us that if the Divine, especially Krishna, enters someone’s consciousness—whether through sacred texts or depictions in popular culture—it is a good thing.

For instance, in Kalki, we see the story of Ashwatthama’s curse by Krishna for his heinous act, as well as the idea of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu, coming in the future. While Kalki himself doesn’t appear in this movie (he may appear in a sequel), this connection with the tradition is valuable. As stated in Bhagavad Gita 3.26, the ways of the attached differ from the ways of the detached, and the ways of the ignorant differ from the ways of the wise. Those who are detached and wise will seek to understand the tradition’s wisdom as it is, diving deep into texts like the Mahabharata and Bhagavatam. But many people who are not yet ready for that may need depictions in popular culture to connect with the tradition. Hence, this connection is positive at a basic level.

Concoction:

However, a matter of concern arises when these depictions involve concoctions—mishmashes of characters and scenes from different sources. In Kalki, we see characters and ideas from the epics blended with elements from Western popular franchises like Mad Max or The Matrix. When such concoctions happen, the question arises: Is it good or bad?

Broadly speaking, there is room for artistic license within the tradition. God has gifted us with imagination, and some people have more of this gift than others. As the Gita (7.8) tells us, all abilities come from God, and these abilities are meant to serve Him. Krishna further explains in verses 18.46–48 that we should use our work as a form of worship. Those with the gift of imagination can and should use it to depict sacred themes in a way that resonates with the masses.

In the past, plays and dramas often weren’t exact replicas of the scriptures, but as long as they captured the essence and conveyed the central message, they were accepted. Artistic license is allowed as long as it doesn’t distort the essential message. So, when does a concoction cross the line into being counterproductive? That leads us to the third aspect: conception.

Conception:

The key question is whether the conception that the filmmakers have about sacred themes aligns broadly with the conceptions found in the scriptures. If the overall conception isn’t in violent disagreement with traditional wisdom, then such popular depictions can open people’s minds, encouraging them to explore more about these themes. Krishna himself describes intelligence in three modes—goodness, passion, and ignorance (Gita 18.30–32). Popular culture typically reflects intelligence in goodness or passion, rather than philosophical precision, but if it broadly aligns with traditional conceptions, it can still be a good thing.

For example, many people become curious about spiritual matters when they see depictions of them in popular culture. This is what Krishna refers to in Gita 7.16, where He describes the four types of people who approach Him. One of those types is the curious, and popular culture depictions often spark that curiosity.

When such depictions arise, it is the responsibility of tradition and its teachers to engage with this curiosity and provide deeper, more holistic conceptions of the sacred traditions. If we look at the history of Western movies, films like The Passion of Christ gained popularity even though they weren’t entirely faithful to the Bible. However, they sparked interest in religious themes. Later, more faithful adaptations, such as the Chosen TV series, became hugely successful.

Now, with Indian spiritual traditions gaining more influence, we can hope for a greater presence of these themes in popular culture. As the Ram Mandir inauguration has sparked a resurgence of cultural assertiveness, India may see more depictions of sacred traditions in media. If traditional culture and teachers join hands with popular culture creators, it could lead to an unprecedented cultural and spiritual elevation.

In conclusion, movies like Kalki could pave the way for deeper connections with traditional spiritual themes, as long as the conceptions they convey align with the broader spirit of the tradition. Thank you.