The Second Coming of Mythological Animation in Indian Cinema

Indian animation is undergoing a grand revival, driven by the phenomenal success of Mahavatar Narsimha. At the same time, the film re-energised the industry and set the path for the ambitious Mahavatar Universe. With big names such as Netflix and filmmakers from Telugu lands backing animation projects steeped in mythology, the genre is poised to blossom into a new epoch, reverberating with the legacy left by the likes of Hanuman and Chhota Bheem.

Mahavatar Narsimha Breaking Records

Directed by Ashwin Kumar, Mahavatar Narsimha tells the story of Lord Vishnu’s half-lion, half-man form and his battle with Hiranyakashyap to protect his devotee, Prahlad. Released just a week after Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, the film took everyone in the industry by surprise by its ₹248 crore box office running, picking up the highest-grossing animated film title in India and crossing into the top 50 hits in Hindi cinema.

Made with a meagre budget of ₹15 crore, it is now called a turning point for Indian animation, since it appealed to children, families, and youth. The emotional storytelling coupled with cutting-edge visuals has set the bar high for future animated features.

The Rise of the Mahavatar Universe

Even before its release, Ashwin Kumar and Hombale Films (makers of Kantara and Salaar) announced an interconnected mythological franchise titled the Mahavatar Universe. Upcoming titles include:

• Mahavatar Parshuram (2027)
• Mahavatar Raghunandan (2029)
• Mahavatar Dwarkadhish (2031)
• Mahavatar Gokulananda (2033)
• Mahavatar Kalki – Part 1 (2035)
• Mahavatar Kalki – Part 2 (2037)

This ambitious slate reflects a long-term vision to build India’s first large-scale mythological animated universe.

The Drive for the Global & Regional: Netflix and Telugu Cinema

This flow is also outside theatres. Netflix and Alok Jain, Anu Sikka, and Ajit Andhare have already announced an animated series named Kurukshetra, based on a reimagining of the 18-day epic war from the Mahabharata.

"The battle of Kurukshetra is unforgettable and timeless-a collision of duty, destiny, and moral choices. This series will blend eternal wisdom with visual storytelling to reach Indian and global audiences," shared Anu Sikka, the creator.

Meanwhile, Telugu producer Naga Vamsi, riding on the success of War 2, is producing Vayuputra, an animated feature on the life of Lord Hanuman, slated for a Dussehra 2026 release.

A Glimpse into Indian Animation

Since always, Indian animation has had its duels with the mythologies:

Hanuman (2005), directed by V.G. Samant, went on to become one of the biggest commercial hits until Return of Hanuman (2007) and The Legend of Hanuman on Disney+ Hotstar.

Jayantilal Gada's Mahabharat (2013) boasts voiceovers of classes along with Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, and Vidya Balan.

Chhota Bheem has evolved to become one of the most successful homegrown Indian brands paving way for movies and merchandise.

However, anything besides mythology saw either moderate or temporary success-the likes of Roadside Romeo (2008), Delhi Safari (2012), and Chaar Sahibzaade (2014).

The Future of Indian Animation

With half a dozen large-scale projects in development and international platforms joining hands with Indian creators, the stage is set for Indian mythological animation to grow exponentially. If Mahavatar Narsimha was the spark, the coming years could ignite a full-fledged revolution.