Mahavatar Narsimha: Ashwin Kumar’s Animated Mythology Blockbuster Comes to Netflix – Review & Details
Mahavatar Narsimha, the high-budget mythological animated film directed by Ashwin Kumar, has crossed ₹300 crore at the box office. Now streaming on Netflix as of September 19, 2025, in five major Indian languages. Read review, cast & crew, trailer breakdown, and what sets this first chapter of the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe apart.
Mahavatar Narsimha
From theatres to your living room — Mahavatar Narsimha roars into the OTT space with sacred lore, stunning animation, and a first-of-its-kind mythological universe.
Plot Summary (without major spoilers)
The film retells the story of Prahlad, a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, and his persecution by his father, Hiranyakashipu. Violent tyranny and god-defying arrogance lead to divine intervention. From the boon that makes Hiranyakashipu nearly invincible under specific conditions, the narrative builds toward the appearance of Lord Vishnu’s fierce Narasimha avatar — half man, half lion — who restores cosmic order while honoring the unique terms of the boon.
Production Background
- Mahavatar Narsimha is an Indian animated mythological epic, directed by Ashwin Kumar in his directorial debut.
- The story is authored by Jayapurna Das, drawing from ancient scriptures such as the Vishnu Purana, Narasimha Purana, and Shrimad Bhagavata Purana.
- Produced by Kleem Productions and presented by Hombale Films.
- The film is the first instalment in a planned Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, based on the ten avatars (Dashavatara) of Lord Vishnu. Future instalments include Mahavatar Parshuram (2027), Mahavatar Raghunandan (2029), Mahavatar Dhawkadhesh (2031), Mahavatar Gokulananda (2033), and Mahavatar Kalki (2035-2037).
Cast & Direction
- Director: Ashwin Kumar
- Primary Voice Cast / Stars: Aditya Raj Sharma, Haripriya Matta, Sanket Jaiswal, Priyanka Bhandari, Vasundhra Bose, Harjeet Walia, etc.
- Music: Sam C. S.
Official Trailer
- The trailer is visually rich, showcasing high-quality 3D animation, epic battle sequences, intense emotional moments between Prahlad and his father, and powerful depictions of the avatar transformation.
- It sets the tone: the stakes are cosmic, the emotional arcs strong, and the visuals meant to stand tall among global mythological-epic animation.
OTT Release & Details
- Theatrical Release Date: 25 July 2025 across multiple Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam).
- OTT Release: Netflix on 19 September 2025, 12:30 PM IST. Available in Hindi + dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Review & What Works / What Doesn’t (Critical Analysis)
Strengths:
- Animation / Visuals: The film sets a high bar for Indian animation, with rich textures, detailed environments, action sequences, and a faithful mythological ambiance.
- Story & Mythology: The narrative weaves ancient texts in a coherent, emotionally resonant way. The arcs of devotion, cruelty, faith, and divine justice are well delineated.
- Ambition & Universe-Building: Launching a mythological cinematic universe in Indian animation is bold; audiences respond positively to the scope.
Weaknesses / Critiques:
- Pacing: Some reviews note that while the film is visually spectacular, certain stretches feel slower — especially in the build-up to the climax.
- Character Development: Secondary characters may not be as fleshed out; focus remains tightly on Prahlad, Hiranyakashipu, and Narsimha.
- Music / Songs: The soundtrack supports the film well, but some critics feel that songs don’t linger as strongly or have as many memorable tracks compared to the visuals.
Audience Reactions & Ratings
- On Rotten Tomatoes (Audience Reviews section), many viewers gave it glorious praise:
“Amazing graphics with a wonderful storyline. Enjoyed with family.”
“Phenomenal film … Whether you are a Vaishnava or not, it is worth seeing as it is an extremely well-produced and beautiful piece.” - From 123Telugu.com, the review (‘Telugu Movie Review and Rating’) gave it 3 out of 5 stars. It noted that while there are pacing issues and a few narrative gaps, overall it’s a commendable effort for its ambition, visuals, and mythological spectacle.
- In public / social media reactions, many netizens called it the best animated mythological film in recent time, especially celebrating its OTT release as a “Navratri gift” on Netflix.
- On IMDb, user reviews also reflect strong admiration, especially for character design, mythic storytelling and emotional impact. One user wrote: “I was absolutely blown away by Mahavatar Narsimha. Every single character felt perfectly designed, staying true to original Puranic accounts.”
- Critics also pointed out drawbacks: some emotional moments felt under-built, and not all supporting characters got enough depth. But these were often seen as acceptable trade-offs given the scale, especially for an Indian animated film of this kind.
Box-Office & Viewership Metrics (Theatrical + OTT Window)
- The film crossed ₹300 crore worldwide (box-office gross) by early September 2025.
- Became India’s highest-grossing animated film.
- In its 8th week, it surpassed the collections of other films (like Saiyaara) in similar positions.
- It became the highest-grossing animated film in India, surpassing older titles.
- In its Hindi version alone, it reportedly made ₹184.39 crore in about 40 days, which placed it among the top 50 grossers in Hindi cinema.
- Regarding OTT, the film was released digitally on Netflix on 19 September 2025. Many audience reactions online noted the visual clarity and scale felt even stronger on streaming.
- The OTT window was about 56 days after its theatrical release. That is relatively fast, indicating strong confidence in its continuing appeal via streaming.
Future Goals & Legacy
- Mahavatar Narsimha is the first chapter in a planned universe adapting the avatars of Lord Vishnu; the franchise is slated to release next instalments every two years through 2037.
- Filmmakers aim to raise the standard of Indian mythological storytelling and animation, creating films that can compete in technical quality and narrative scope. Ashwin Kumar and producers have spoken about bringing heritage, ethos, and cultural values back into large scale cinematic storytelling.
- With OTT release, the film may reach audiences who missed theatres; potential for international viewership in diaspora and mythological/animation fans.
Conclusion
Mahavatar Narsimha is a landmark film in Indian mythological animation — a breathtaking visual spectacle, rooted in devout storytelling, with franchise potential. While not perfect, its strengths in animation, narrative conviction, and scale make it a must-watch, particularly now that it’s streamed on Netflix. For those interested in devotional epics, ambitious storytelling, or Indian animation, this film roars loud and leaves a lasting impression.
