Ashwin Kumar's mythological action drama, 'Mahavatar Narsimha,' has premiered, enjoying a promising start at the box office. The film grossed ₹2.29 crore worldwide on its opening day. The Hindi version is leading with ₹1.51 crore.
The film, backed by Hombale Films, has found its strongest audience in the Hindi-speaking belt. The regional versions saw relatively quieter openings. In Kannada, the film grossed ₹7 lakhs on Day 1, while the Telugu version contributed ₹38 lakhs. The Tamil and Malayalam versions had the lowest openings with ₹2 lakhs and ₹3 lakhs respectively. Total India net collection was ₹2.01 crore on its first day.
'Mahavatar Narsimha' received much praise in initial reactions on social media. One Twitter review stated that the "3D animated Movie was factually correct and visually stunning".
'Mahavatar Narsimha' blends sacred beliefs and mysticism with human sensitivities and contemporary societal challenges. It touches upon the mentality of gaining power and superiority because of ego, greed, lust and jealousy. Kumar's storytelling makes India's ancient epics relatable across generations through its compelling narrative. The film evokes the right emotions as the story progresses, keeping the audience thoroughly engaged, irrespective of their familiarity with ancient legends. The visuals create a grand impact on the viewers. The film reminds humanity to choose spirituality, love, compassion and peace over hatred, greed, jealousy and anger.
Hombale Films' animated film is a visually stunning spectacle of Lord Vishnu's incarnation. The film combines drama, emotion, and high-stakes action. The stark contrast between Hiranyakashyap's cruel pride and Prahlad's faith-filled innocence creates a deep emotional core. Narsimha's climactic section contains beautifully crafted battles alongside stunning effects. It is cleverly designed to appeal to modern audiences, and in particular, to younger audiences who may not be familiar with the lore.
The intricate character designs and color palettes in the film create striking and memorable visuals to support and enhance the mythological story. The animation technology used in the film is A+ quality, creating an utterly stunning and sublime experience for the audience.
The film's pacing combines drama, emotion, and high-stakes action. The voices are well-cast and synced with care, lending a native, organic feel. Sam C S's score enhances both the scale and the emotional beats of the story. Director Ashwin Kumar deserves credit for bringing this world to life. His overall vision and control over the material are clear.
The animation succeeds in creating a believable mythic universe. The arrival of Narasimha shifts the film into a different gear. The way this avatar is rendered stands apart from the rest of the film's animation. These scenes are staged with raw power and dramatic weight, and are likely to resonate with viewers in smaller towns and devotional circles. The reverence in the visual presentation of Vishnu is evident throughout.
Ashwin Kumar and his team are laying the groundwork for the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, a seven-film saga chronicling the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Ashwin Kumar is focused on carving out a distinctly Indian idiom. Kumar wants 'Mahavatar Narsimha' to stand shoulder to shoulder with global animation giants.
Director Ashwin Kumar confirmed that 'Mahavatar Narsimha' will be available in English, Japanese, Spanish, Korean and Russian. Kumar is inspired by Chinese, Korean and Japanese Anime.
