Mahavatar Narsimha Movie Review: Impressive Visual Spectacle Driven By Epic Tale Of Mythology

Mahavatar Narsimha has been released on July 25, 2025, in both 3D and 2D formats, and dubbed in multiple Indian languages.

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Directed by: Ashwin Kumar 

Language: Hindi

Writer: Jayapurna Das, Ashwin Kumar, Rudra Pratap Ghosh 

Duration: 2 hours 21 minutes

Rating: 4/5

Mahavatar Narsimha, the first installment in the Mahavatar series directed by Ashwin Kumar, marks a surprisingly powerful entry into Indian animated cinema. While the trailer offered only a glimpse of what was to come, the film itself far exceeds expectations. It offers a sincere and emotional retelling of one of the most powerful stories in Indian mythology, the tale of Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The film follows the story of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king who declares himself a god and demands devotion from his people, including his own son. However, his son Prahlad remains devoted to Vishnu ( famously called Bhakt Prahlad), setting the stage for divine intervention. It’s a story familiar to many, but what this film manages to do is give it a renewed sense of emotion, depth, and even personal reflection.

Technically, the animation begins with modest production values. In the early scenes, the visuals may seem limited, particularly in terms of detailing. However, as the film progresses, the quality of animation noticeably improves, almost as if the film itself grows along with its story. By the time the film enters its second half, the animation reaches an impressive visual maturity, making some scenes powerful enough to give goosebumps.

That said, one of the film’s few but notable weak points is the voice dubbing and lip sync. There are moments when the voiceovers don’t quite match the facial expressions or mouth movements of the characters, which can break the emotional rhythm. It’s a distraction in places, and given how emotionally rich the story is, it’s a detail that matters. However, the filmmakers make up for this with something quite rare in animated films: silence. This deliberate cinematic tool draws deeper into the narrative enhancing the gravity if pivotal scenes.

The voiceovers were genuinely impressive, bringing real weight and emotion to every scene. The script was well-crafted, with dialogues truly standing out.

The music was another highlight, beautifully composed and well-timed, enhancing the emotional moments without overshadowing them, perfectly matching the film's tone.

What really worked for Mahavatar Narsimha is its sincere approach to the story, especially compared to other recent mythological films. Instead of dialogues like “Jalegi tere baap ki,” from ‘Adipurush’, this film keeps things calm, focused and respectful.

The confrontation between Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu goes beyond drama; it holds a deeper meaning, answering one of the most important question in 'bhakti': “Where is God if we can’t see him?”

Despite the technical hiccups, particularly in audio synchronisation, the second half of the film is where it truly finds its voice. The appearance of Narasimha is both terrifying and awe-inspiring, handled with the kind of seriousness and artistic respect the character deserves.

This is a film that can be appreciated by audiences of all ages. Children will be drawn to the visuals and story, while adults may find themselves thinking about the film long after it ends. It doesn’t rush, but it also doesn’t drag, the pacing feels well-considered and steady.

In the end, Mahavatar Narsimha might be far from perfect, yet standing as a quietly confident and emotionally effective film that successfully delivers a deeply moving and devotional cinematic experience. While not without its flaws, it more than compensates with its heart, message, and the sheer sincerity of its storytelling.

Mahavatar Narsimha has been released in 3D and 2D formats in multiple Indian languages from July 25, 2025, making it accessible to a wide audience across the country.