Concept Artist Alleges Plagiarism in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ Trailer

Concept artist Sung Choi, known for his work with Marvel Studios, Disney, and Warner Bros., has accused the makers of Prabhas’ upcoming film Kalki 2898 AD of plagiarizing his 10-year-old artwork in the film’s trailer.

Taking to social media, the Hollywood artist shared a collage of his original illustration and a frame from the trailer, stating that the unauthorized use of his artwork is a bad practice and makes him question doing art in a “lawless environment.”

The controversy began when Choi shared his original artwork, titled “Crash Site of ARK,” which bears a striking resemblance to the opening scene of the Kalki 2898 AD trailer. Fans and netizens quickly pointed out the similarities, with many calling out the makers for plagiarism. The trailer itself has been criticized for its heavy borrowing from various films and series, including Mad Max, Dune, and Halo.

Choi’s post sparked a wave of support from fans and fellow artists, who urged him to take legal action against the makers of Kalki 2898 AD. Many users on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit expressed their disappointment and frustration at the lack of originality in the film’s visuals.

Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is set to release on June 27, 2024, and features an ensemble cast including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, and Disha Patani.