Ashwin Kumar's mythological animated film, "Mahavatar Narsimha," is performing exceptionally well at the box office, exceeding expectations and breaking barriers for animated films in India. The film has garnered positive reviews for its animation, themes, and storytelling, contributing to its widespread appeal.
Box Office Performance:
The film has grossed an impressive ₹67.95 crore in just nine days. According to early estimates, on its ninth day (Saturday), "Mahavatar Narsimha" collected ₹15 crore, showcasing a remarkable jump in collections. Trade analysts predict that the film is well on its way to reaching ₹70 crore soon. Some analysts are even more optimistic, suggesting the film could reach ₹100 crore.
The Telugu version of the film is particularly popular, with high theater occupancy rates. The Hindi and Tamil versions are also performing well, driven by positive audience feedback. On its second Saturday, "Mahavatar Narsimha" saw its highest single-day collection since its release on July 25, doubling its earnings to ₹15 crore.
Occupancy Rates:
The film has demonstrated strong occupancy rates across different languages and formats. On its ninth day, the Telugu version had an overall occupancy of 74.08%. The Hindi version also showed impressive occupancy, with 66.66% for the 2D format and 58.30% for the 3D format.
Word-of-Mouth and Social Media Buzz:
Strong word-of-mouth has played a crucial role in the film's success. Social media platforms are buzzing with positive reviews and appreciation for the film's portrayal of Lord Vishnu and Bhakta Prahlad. This positive reception has contributed to the steady growth in collections since its release.
Comparison with Other Films:
"Mahavatar Narsimha" has already surpassed the first-week business of Hombale Films' "Kantara" (₹15 crore) and "KGF" (₹21.45 crore) within just one week. This achievement highlights the film's exceptional performance and its potential to compete with mainstream Indian films.
Impact on Indian Animation Industry:
"Mahavatar Narsimha" marks a significant milestone for the Indian animation industry. Its success demonstrates that mythological themes in animation can appeal to a wider audience. The film's director, Ashwin Kumar, aims to create a distinctly Indian idiom in animation, setting it apart from Western animation powerhouses.
Mahavatar Cinematic Universe:
"Mahavatar Narsimha" is the first film in the ambitious Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, a seven-film saga chronicling the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The planned releases include "Mahavatar Parshuram" (2027), "Mahavatar Raghunandan" (2029), "Mahavatar Dwarkadhish" (2031), "Mahavatar Gokulananda" (2033), "Mahavatar Kalki Part 1" (2035), and "Mahavatar Kalki Part 2" (2037).
Global Release:
Following its success in India, "Mahavatar Narsimha" has expanded its reach to international screens. The film was released in Australia, the Middle East, the UK, Singapore, and North America on July 31, 2025. This global release marks an exceptional achievement for an Indian animated film and sets new benchmarks for the genre.
Overall:
"Mahavatar Narsimha" is proving to be a box office phenomenon, exceeding expectations and revitalizing the Indian animation industry. With its strong performance, positive word-of-mouth, and ambitious cinematic universe, the film is poised for continued success both domestically and internationally.