India’s animation industry has reached a significant milestone with “Mahavatar Narsimha” becoming the first animated film to surpass ₹1 billion at the domestic box office.
In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian cinema, “Mahavatar Narsimha,” directed by Ashwin Kumar, has become the first animated film in India to achieve spectacular box office success, surpassing the ₹1 billion mark in domestic earnings. This milestone firmly places the film at the forefront of animation history, both in India and globally.
Traditionally, the reception of animated films in India has been tepid, with the majority of box office success coming from television broadcasts and digital platforms. Even films celebrated worldwide, such as “Frozen 2,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” and “Incredibles 2,” struggled to make more than ₹50 crore each within Indian borders. Among local productions, the previous high watermark was set by “Hanuman,” which garnered just over ₹10 crore.
The film’s initial release saw moderate numbers at the box office. However, it experienced a dramatic turnaround due to positive word-of-mouth and the backing of family audiences, who flocked to theatres in growing numbers. In its second weekend alone, “Mahavatar Narsimha” saw a significant boost, propelling its earnings to the unprecedented ₹1 billion scale by the end of the second week.
Buoyed by this success, production company Hombale Films has ambitious plans to expand the “Mahavatar” franchise. It has announced a total of six more animated films to be released under the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, with projects stretching out through the year 2037.
The film’s commercial triumph signals a promising future for Indian animation. Industry analysts now predict that “Mahavatar Narsimha” could gross between ₹150–200 crore on the global stage, positioning it as a pioneering title in a new wave of animated features that captivate audiences with rich Indian cultural and mythological narratives infused with universal themes.
This breakthrough could open doors to more expansive, theatrical animated productions that align Indian cultural heritage with elements that resonate internationally. It marks the dawn of an era where Indian animation might play a leading role on the global entertainment stage, much like its live-action counterparts.
According to Gulf News, “Mahavatar Narsimha” has not only redefined the landscape for animated films in India but may also set a template for future cultural storytelling through animation.