Mahavatar Narsimha is a 2024 Indian animated epic mythological action film directed by Ashwin Kumar in his feature directorial debut. Written by Jayapurna Das and produced by Kleem Productions (presented by Hombale Films), it serves as the first installment in a planned seven-part animated series titled Mahavatar.

The film retells the ancient Hindu legend of Lord Vishnu’s fourth avatar, Narasimha (the half-man, half-lion form), who emerges to protect his devotee Prahlad from the tyrannical demon king Hiranyakashipu. Blending elements from the Dashavatara (Vishnu’s ten avatars) and the Bhagavata Purana, it explores themes of unwavering faith, divine justice, and the triumph of good over evil.

The story centers on Hiranyakashipu, who, seeking revenge for his brother Hiranyaksha’s death at Vishnu’s hands (in his Varaha avatar), performs intense penance to gain a boon from Brahma: immortality except under impossible conditions (not killed by man or beast, indoors or outdoors, day or night). He declares himself a god and persecutes Vishnu’s followers, including his own son Prahlad, a fervent devotee.

To honour Prahlad’s faith without violating the boon’s terms, Vishnu manifests as Narasimha—at twilight, on the threshold of a palace, using claws to slay the demon—restoring cosmic balance.

Mahavatar Narsimha Cast and Crew

• Director: Ashwin Kumar
• Voices:
  • Aditya Raj Sharma as Prahlad (voiced by a notable artist, though specifics vary by language dub)
  • Haripriya Matta
  • Priyanka Bhandari
  • Sanket Jaiswal
• Production: Animated in multiple languages (Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam) for wide accessibility.
• Budget: Reported at ₹15 crore (initial estimates), though later figures suggest higher costs aligned with its ambitious visuals.

Release and Box Office Performance

Released theatrically on August 9, 2024, the film ran for 56 days in theatres, becoming India’s highest-grossing animated film ever. It opened with ₹2.29 crore domestically and concluded with:

• India Net: ₹247.96 crore (Hindi version alone: ₹185 crore+)
• Worldwide Gross: Over ₹300 crore (exact closing figures position it as the fourth highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2025)
• Profit Margin: 1553% return on investment, marking it as Hombale Films’ biggest success of the year.

It outperformed expectations in the Hindi belt and maintained steady earnings, even in its eighth week (₹1.15 crore across versions: ₹70 lakh Hindi, ₹21 lakh Telugu, etc.).

Critical and Audience Reception

The film received widespread praise for its emotional depth, stunning animation, and faithful adaptation of mythology, though some noted minor technical inconsistencies compared to global standards like Pixar. Key reviews:

• IMDB: 9.1/10 (audience score highlights the “goosebump-inducing climax” and soul-stirring music).
• Rotten Tomatoes: Certified Fresh; critics called it a “homegrown triumph” in ambition and cultural rootedness, prioritizing “feeling over show.”
• India Today: 3.5/5 – “Compelling watch for its emotional relatability and stunning depiction of Narsimha.”
• Zee News: 4/5 – “Quietly confident and emotionally effective… delivers a deeply moving devotional experience.”
• Times of India: 3/5 – “Made with sincerity and ambition.”

Audiences lauded the transformation scene, battle sequences, and devotional tracks like “Roar of Narsimha,” which created immersive theatre experiences.

OTT Availability

As of September 19, 2025, Mahavatar Narsimha is streaming exclusively on Netflix. This follows its blockbuster theatrical run, allowing global viewers to experience the epic at home. Trailers emphasize their tagline: “When Faith is Challenged, He Appears. Unleash the Fury!”

If you’re interested in the mythological roots beyond the film (e.g., detailed Puranic accounts), let me know for more on the original Narasimha legend!