The makers of the animated mythological film Mahavatar Narsimha have issued a clarification regarding the film's Over-The-Top (OTT) release, stating that no deal has been finalized yet. This announcement comes amidst rumors and speculation about the film's digital debut, fueled by its successful theatrical run.
Mahavatar Narsimha, directed by Ashwin Kumar, was released in theaters on July 25, 2025, and has become a surprise hit, especially given the struggles of other Indian films at the box office. The film has garnered positive reviews for its storytelling, animation quality, and spiritual themes, appealing to a wide audience. Made on a budget of ₹15 crore, the film has collected ₹91.25 crores net in India during its first 10 days. Globally, the film has collected ₹112 crore. By the end of its second week, the film had grossed over ₹1 billion.
The film is produced by Kleem Productions and presented by Hombale Films. It is the first installment in a planned seven-part animated cinematic universe based on the Dashavatara, the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Subsequent films are planned for release every two years, continuing with Mahavatar Parshuram in 2027 and concluding with Mahavatar Kalki Part 2 in 2037.
The clarification regarding the OTT release was posted by Kleem Productions on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "We're grateful for the excitement around Mahavatar Narsimha and the OTT buzz — But as of now, the film is ONLY playing in theatres worldwide. No OTT deal has been finalised yet. Please trust only the updates shared from our official handles". The production house also shared a poster with a similar message, urging people to stay away from rumors and to trust only authentic updates from their official channels.
Despite the lack of an official announcement, speculation about the film's OTT release has been rampant. Trade analyst Rohit Jaiswal told India Times that there is a 50% possibility that the Hindi version of Mahavatar Narsimha will be released on JioHotstar. This speculation is based on the platform's previous collaborations with Hombale Films, which saw the Hindi versions of films like Salaar and Raajakumara released on JioHotstar. It is also speculated that the regional language versions of the film, such as those in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, may be released on other platforms, depending on licensing arrangements and existing partnerships.
Given the film's strong performance in theaters, it is likely that the OTT release will be delayed until the theatrical run slows down. Some reports suggest that the OTT debut could happen in late August or September 2025.
Mahavatar Narsimha chronicles the avatars of Bhagwan Vishnu, Varaha and Narsimha. Varaha rescues Bhudevi (Mother Earth) from the demon Hiranyaksha. The story then shifts to Hiranyakashipu, Hiranyaksha's brother, who gains a boon, declares himself god and oppresses Vishnu's followers. Hiranyakashipu's son, Prahlad, remains a devotee of Vishnu despite his father's threats. To save Prahlad and defeat evil, Vishnu appears as Narsimha, a half-man, half-lion form, and kills Hiranyakashipu.
The success of Mahavatar Narsimha could pave the way for more large-scale, theatrical animated releases that blend Indian themes with universal appeal. The film has already broken records, becoming the highest-grossing animated film ever in India.
