Mahavatar Narsimha moves closer to Oscars spotlight

Dubai: Hombale Films’ Mahavatar Narsimha has taken a major step towards the Oscars. The 2D and 3D animated feature, directed by Ashwin Kumar, has been shortlisted in the Best Animated Feature Film category for the 2026 Academy Awards.

The selection marks a significant moment for the Indian animation industry, which has rarely found global recognition at this scale.

If Mahavatar Narsimha secures a nomination, it would become the first Indian animated feature ever to enter the final Oscars list in this category — a historic breakthrough for the industry.

Among 35 global contenders

The mythological drama is one of 35 films shortlisted this year. Other popular contenders include The Bad Guys 2, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, Zootopia 2, KPop Demon Hunters, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and The Twits.

A strong box office run

Released in India on July 25, the film expanded to global markets — including Sri Lanka, Australia, Malaysia and several European countries — from July 31 onwards. Its box office performance was very impressive, earning more than ₹300 crore worldwide. The film’s success reflects growing international interest in Indian mythological storytelling and advances in home-grown animation.

A timeless story told anew

Mahavatar Narsimha brings to life the well-known Hindu tale of Prahlada, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. Prahlada’s father, Hiranyakashipu — a powerful king granted near-immortality — is infuriated by his son’s faith. His repeated attempts to kill Prahlada eventually lead to the dramatic intervention of Lord Vishnu, who appears as Narasimha, his fierce fourth avatar, to end the king’s tyranny and save his believer.

The film blends traditional mythology with modern animation techniques, aiming to make the ancient story accessible to global audiences.

Expanding the Mahavatar universe

Presented by Hombale Films and backed by Kleem Productions, the film was produced by Shilpa Dhawan, Kushal Desai and Chaitanya Desai. It features an original score by composer Sam CS, with the screenplay written by Jayapurna Das and Rudra Pratap Ghosh.

Mahavatar Narsimha marks the beginning of Hombale Films’ ambitious Mahavatar Cinematic Universe — a series of animated films based on the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. The slate will roll out between 2025 and 2037, with Mahavatar Parashuram set for release in 2027.