Mahavatar Narsimha review: Emotionally uplifting tale about devotion, compassion

India Today

25-07-2025

The fruits of good as well as bad Karma are inevitable. Diti, the daughter of the king-sage Daksha commits a sin during an inauspicious time by defying her sage husband Kashyap. The couple witnesses the origin of evil in their saintly household, which engulfs humanity in Satya Yuga (the first and best of the four time periods). Based on the 'Vishnu Purana', 'Narasimha Purana', and 'Shrimad Bhagavata Purana', 'Mahavatar Narsimha' makes a powerful statement on hate and negativity. The Ashwin Kumar-directorial depicts the repercussions of a destructive and misguided mindset in society.advertisementAmid the violence, bloodshed, devastation and conflict initiated by the demon king Hiranyakashipu, faith and compassion rise against hatred and disharmony. A selfless and spiritual soul born in a vengeful society takes us on a selfless path of devotion and affection. Kumar, along with his co-writer Rudra P Ghosh, has contributed to a screenplay that has a universal resonance.'Mahavatar Narsimha' blends sacred beliefs and mysticism with human sensitivities and contemporary societal challenges. It touches upon the hell-bent mentality of gaining power and superiority because of ego, greed, lust and jealousy. Kumar's soulful storytelling makes India's ancient epics relatable across generations through its compelling narrative. The film hits the bull's eye by echoing the right emotions as the story progresses. Irrespective of whether the audience is familiar with the ancient legends and folklores, the movie keeps you thoroughly engaged.
The visuals create a grand impact on the viewers. While there might be a few noticeable errors in the animation, overall the film lives up to the spirit of its core theme. The presentation of Lord Vishnu's two fierce incarnations perfectly imbibes divinity and immortality of the force beyond time and space. The budget constraints could be attributed for the minor faultlines. Yet, the production quality is far high for Indian standards when it comes to showing the aura and energy of the supreme being.'Mahavatar Narsimha' takes the viewers on a roller-coaster ride with a mix of humour, adventure, divinity and inspiration. The film doesn't just preach the victory of good over evil. The story takes its own pace as it makes the audience realise the consequences of evil leadership on humanity. A power-hungry, destructive king is not just harmful to society but is also the reason for destroying his own family. A strong message to the hate-mongers and radical fundamentalists about how negativity consumes your own loved ones before your adversaries.A few song sequences, battle scenes as well as the expressions of animated characters with limited screen time may not be convincing. However, the unparalleled devotion of Prahlad towards Lord Narayan and God's unconditional love for his devotees makes up for the technical misses. The well-intended messaging without getting overboard and retaining the engagement quotient, makes the film worth your time.advertisementIndian epics definitely have a dramatic plot worth exploring for cinema. There is no denying that such narratives demand brilliance in animation and VFX. But the crux remains to not lose out on the soul of the characters and the story. Even with grand graphics and animated visuals, a film on Lord Vishnu loses its purpose if it fails to evoke emotion. 'Mahavatar Narsimha' makes sure that, irrespective of the effectiveness of animation, the audience must resonate with Prahlad's journey. The heart of the story remains the unshakeable determination of a child who endures atrocities without losing his faith in God. He is a symbol of a strong-willed individual who doesn't give up on faith and optimism, even though his own family is pessimistic and hateful.The visuals of demons causing harm to devotees in the animation film do not hold back. The subtlety in those scenes offers insights into the present-day condition of the world order. A section of anti-social, uncivilised elements doing maximum damage to those in pursuit of knowledge and excellence isn't an unfamiliar trope. Cinema is a reflection of society. But 'Mahavatar Narsimha' proves that our ancient texts offer an ocean of philosophical, political, historical, social and scientific interpretations.advertisementA simple story told through the lens of a young boy appeals to all age groups. The film doesn't get too complex at any point and makes sure the viewers remain invested in the relationship between Prahlad and Lord Vishnu. Above all, 'Mahavatar Narsimha' once again reminds humanity to choose spirituality, love, compassion and peace over hatred, greed, jealousy and anger.Indeed, it's a huge responsibility to make a film about Lord Vishnu's most fierce incarnation. To attain the Herculean goal, it is essential to ensure that the animation or VFX complies with modern technology and leaves no room for mediocrity. To honour our epics, we must merge technical knowledge with emotionally rich storytelling. 'Mahavatar Narsimha' excels in the latter with fewer errors in the animation.The gripping epic-animation saga from Hombale Films' Mahavatar Cinematic Universe is a brave attempt at retelling ancient legends. Being the first film in the ten-part series, the audience can expect technical superiority in the coming instalments. Overall, the film makes for a compelling watch for its emotional reliability and stunning depiction of Lord Narsimha in the goosebumps-filled climax.- Ends3.5 out of 5 stars.