Bujji and Bhairava
Bujji and Bhairava (stylized onscreen as B&B: Bujji and Bhairava) is an Indian Telugu-language animated science fiction comedy television miniseries created and directed by Nag Ashwin and, written by Sahen Upadhyay.[1] It is produced by Vyjayanthi Animation and Green Gold Animation. The series is a prelude to the 2024 film Kalki 2898 AD, and has a narrative primarily about Bhairava and his AI droid/vehicle companion BU-JZ-1 (Bujji).[2]
| Bujji and Bhairava | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Nag Ashwin |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by |
|
| Voices of | |
| Composer | Santhosh Narayanan |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Telugu |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Rahul Odak Bharath Laxmipati |
| Producer | C. Aswani Dutt |
| Running time | 14 minutes |
| Production companies | Vyjayanthi Animation Green Gold Animation |
| Original release | |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release | 31 May 2024 – present |
| Related | |
| Kalki 2898 AD | |
The series is part of The Kalki Cinematic Universe and premiered on 31 May 2024 on Amazon Prime Video.[3]
Overview
The series is set two years before the events of the film in the year 2896, in Kasi.[lower-alpha 1] Bhairava is a bounty hunter with dreams of getting into the Complex, an inverted pyramid structure located in the heart of the city, by collecting a million 'units' needed for gaining access inside.[lower-alpha 2] BU-JZ1 is an AI pilot of a cargo plane, waiting for her promotion at the Complex. At their lowest point, these two unlikely souls, find each other to set of a crackling story of ambition, adventure, partnership, and mainly friendship.
Voice cast and characters
- Prabhas as Bhairava
- Keerthy Suresh as BU-JZ-1 alias Bujji, Bhairava's companion AI droid/vehicle (voice-over)
- Brahmanandam as Rajan, Bhairava's landlord
- Pasupathy as Veeran, a rebel from Shambhala[5][lower-alpha 3]
- Anna Ben as Kyra, Veeran's associate
- Nayantara Manchala as Archie
- Y. J. Sai Charan as:
- Goku
- Wong
- Rickshaw
- Mahesh as Pilot
- Vishak as Bar Owner
- Srinivas Eetha as Raider
Episodes
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 31 May 2024 | ||
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Crash and Burn" | Nag Ashwin | Sahen Upadhyay | 31 May 2024 |
| 2 | "Partners" | Nag Ashwin | Sahen Upadhyay | 31 May 2024 |
Release
The show was released on 31 May 2024 on Amazon Prime Video in Telugu along with Hindi and English language versions.[8]
Reception
Giving a positive response, Neeshita Nyayapati of Hindustan Times, praised Nag Ashwin's work and the screenplay.[9] Echoing the same, The Hindu's Snageetha Devi Dundoo opined that the series has succeeded in introducing the world of Kalki and the franchise.[10]
Notes
- Kasi/Kashi is another name for the holy city of Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in India.[4]
- A type of universal world currency in the Kalki universe.[5]
- Shambhala or Sambhal, near Kasi in northern India, is prophesied to be the birthplace of Kalki, the future avatar of Vishnu, in Hindu scriptures. This concept was later borrowed into the Kalachakra tradition of Tibetan Buddhism where it is described a mystical kingdom somewhere beyond the Himalayas and also as a state of mind.[6][7]
References
- S, Devasankar (27 May 2024). "Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD animated prelude Bujji and Bhairava to release on THIS date; new teaser promises something BIG". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- "Prabhas-starrer Kalki 2898 AD prelude, titled Bujji and Bhairava, to stream on OTT soon - CNBC TV18". CNBC TV18. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- Malhotra, Rahul (30 May 2024). "'Bujji & Bhairava' Trailer Enters the Retro-Futuristic World of 'Kalki 2898 AD'". Collider. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- "Kasi". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
- Nadia (1 June 2024). "Bujji And Bhairava Review: Finally, clarity on the characters 'Bujji and Bhairava'… if it clicks, it's a super hit!". Yousay. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- "शम्भल." Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary. 1899.
- "shambhala". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
- K, Janani (31 May 2024). "Bujji and Bhairava: Prabhas' animated show raises expectations for 'Kalki 2898 AD'". India Today. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- Nyayapati, Neeshita (31 May 2024). "Bujji and Bhairava review: Decoding the world of Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (1 June 2024). "'B&B: Bujji & Bhairava' is a smart, fun-filled prelude to Nag Ashwin's 'Kalki 2898 AD' starring Prabhas". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 June 2024.