Bhairavam

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Mahavatar Narsimha Movie Review

Mahavatar Narsimha wants to change the way Indian mythology is presented on screen. But does it deliver?
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July 25, 2025, Indian cinema got Mahavatar Narsimha, a big and bold animated epic directed by Ashwin Kumar and produced by Hombale Films in association with Kleem Productions. This is the first film of the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe and brings to life the eternal story of Lord Vishnu’s Narasimha avatar from the Vishnu Purana, Narasimha Purana and Shrimad Bhagavata Purana. With mythological grandeur, emotional storytelling and 3D animation, Mahavatar Narsimha wants to change the way Indian mythology is presented on screen. But does it deliver? Let’s get into the review.


The Story: A Timeless Tale of Faith and Divine Justice

Mahavatar Narsimha is based on the classic mythological story of Prahlad, a young boy who is devoted to Lord Vishnu, unlike his father the demon king Hiranyakashipu. After getting invincibility from Lord Brahma, Hiranyakashipu declares himself as God and wages war against the divine and spreads chaos. His son Prahlad is steadfast in his devotion and endures his father’s cruelty with unwavering resolve. When Hiranyakashipu’s tyranny reaches its peak, Lord Vishnu manifests as Narasimha, the half man half lion avatar, to restore cosmic balance and deliver divine justice.

The story is familiar to those who know Indian mythology, told with sincerity and reverence, with themes of bhakti (devotion), dharma (righteousness) and good triumphing over evil. The film also explores the origin of Hiranyakashipu and his brother Hiranyaksha born from Diti’s defiance of divine timing, adding depth to the story of karma and consequence.


Visuals and Animation: A Leap Forward for Indian Cinema

One of Mahavatar Narsimha’s biggest strengths is its visual grandeur. Made in 5 languages (Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam) and in 2D and 3D, the film takes Indian animation to new heights. The sequences of Vishnu as Varaha and Narasimha are stunning, with bright colours, intricate character design and mythological landscapes like Brahmaloka. The final battle between Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu is a visual treat, with high octane action and divine gravitas that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

But the animation isn’t perfect. Some transitions and background scenes are rough, with jerky character movements and inconsistencies in detail, especially in crowd scenes. Some character designs like Diti and Bhoodevi are Westernized, which might feel jarring to those expecting more Indian looking mythological characters. The film doesn’t match the polish of global animation biggies, but it’s a good start for Indian cinema, especially for a genre that’s still finding its feet.


Emotional Core: Prahlad’s Devotion Steals the Show

One of Mahavatar Narsimha’s biggest pluses is its visual grandeur. Made in multiple languages (Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam) and in 2D and 3D, it pushes the boundaries of Indian animation. The scenes of Vishnu’s Varaha and Narasimha avatars are stunning, with bright colors, intricate character designs and mythological realms like Brahmaloka. The final battle between Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu is a visual treat, with high energy action and divine gravitas that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

But the animation isn’t perfect. Some transitions and background scenes are rough, with jerky character movements and inconsistencies in detail, especially in crowd scenes. Some character designs, like Diti and Bhoodevi, are Westernized and might feel jarring to those who expect more authentic Indian mythological characters. The film doesn’t match the polish of global animation biggies, but it’s a step forward for Indian cinema, especially for a genre that’s still finding its feet.


Performances and Music: Bringing Myth to Life

Voice acting is good, Aditya Raj Sharma, Haripriya Matta and Sanket Jaiswal are good in their roles. The voice of Narasimha is commanding; he brings out the divine fury and compassion of the avatar equally well. But there are moments where voiceovers don’t sync with characters’ expressions properly, breaking the immersion.

Music is not so great, but it doesn’t overpower the emotional moments. The background score is good, especially during the Varaha and Narasimha sequences, and adds to the spiritual feel.


The Verdict: A Worthy Watch with Room for Refinement

Mahavatar Narsimha is a big deal for Indian animation, where mythology meets modern storytelling and big visuals. The emotional core of the film, driven by Prahlad’s devotion and the awesome Narasimha, makes it a must watch for families, mythology buffs and those interested in India’s animation scene. It falters with pacing issues, technical glitches and occasional violence but its sincerity and cultural importance outweigh the flaws.

For its boldness and heart, Mahavatar Narsimha is a must watch, especially in 3D, where its visuals shine. It’s a good start to Hombale’s Mahavatar Cinematic Universe and with some polishing, future installments can take Indian animation to new heights. Take your family, sit back and enjoy this divine tale and hear Narasimha roar on the big screen.

Rating: 3.5/5

 
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