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Director Ashwin Kumar\u2019s \u2018Mahavatar Narishimha\u2019 has made an impressive mark at the box office, collecting over Rs 169 crore in 16 days. Speaking exclusively to India Today, Kumar described the achievement as \u201coverwhelming,\u201d highlighting the unpredictable nature of box office success.<\/p>\n
While talking about the same, he said, \u201cWhen a film like this does Rs 100 crore in its first week, it\u2019s overwhelming. Honestly, it\u2019s very difficult to predict how big something will become. But the people have spoken, their hearts have spoken, and once faith is restored, there\u2019s no stopping it. We are the most diverse land of faith in the world, and perhaps the cultural resonance and spiritual connection touched people deeply. Did I think it would become this big? I knew something special would happen because the subject is powerful, but imagining it at this scale was difficult. Now it\u2019s begun to roar, and I\u2019m curious to see where it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having said that, Kumar explained what made the film different, He added how the audiences were treated to a unique animated experience, unlike anything typically seen in Indian cinema. He stated, \u201cI believe audiences were given a grand, otherworldly animated experience, something Indian cinema has rarely done. Our cinematic lens of Bharat and the industry that we have hasn\u2019t really embraced large-scale, sci-fi-like worlds. Some films have the nitty gritty of it, but a full feature hasn\u2019t, and I think that is what has resonated with the audience. Animation here is often seen as something for children or cartoons, but with this film, we broke that mindset. Of course, there is violence in the film, but the film\u2019s style is age-agnostic\u2014anyone can watch it as a cinematic experience, and I think that is what is catching up with people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The director then emphasised the broader significance <\/a><\/strong>of this success for the Indian animation industry. \u201cThis success should open doors for more animation films. Producers and creators need to understand that animation is a powerful medium\u2014Hollywood, China, Japan, and Korea have shown this for years, often with animated films outperforming live action. In India, sadly, that hasn\u2019t been the case until now. I hope this film inspires producers to treat animation as seriously as live action. Also, the makers should understand animation to be at par or more than live action,” he said.<\/p>\n On why animation was the ideal medium for \u2018Mahavatar Narishimha\u2019, Kumar explained, \u201cFor certain stories, especially fantastical ones, animation is the natural choice. For \u2018Mahavatar Narishimha\u2019, live action wouldn\u2019t have captured the scale, Narasimha Swami with eight arms, cosmic battles, entire universes collapsing. Animation allows you to go beyond live-action boundaries; your only limitation is your imagination. And no, you don\u2019t need star power if your content resonates. Whether or not a celebrity is involved, if the story connects, people will come.\u201d<\/p>\n Reflecting on the personal challenges and commitment involved, Kumar said, \u201cI gave everything, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. For me, it was always do or do, die; death was never an option. When I am in, I am all in. Yes, did things get heavy, did it weigh me down? It did. But my faith in Narasimha Bhagwan again and again got instilled. With his divine presence, he gave me strength. I have always felt protected by him, and that kept me going.\u201d<\/p>\n Further the director addressed speculation about the film\u2019s budget. \u201cThere have been rumours that the film was made under Rs 15 crore, but the actual budget was Rs 40 crore, including P&A, which is still increasing with worldwide promotions. Yes, it shows that even with a smaller budget, you can create something spectacular if you\u2019re committed. The only thing that can stop you is yourself,\u201d he clarified.<\/p>\n The director also shared some of the most moving feedback he has received from viewers, stating, “The most touching feedback has been from people who had lost faith, some even feeling suicidal, who said the film brought their faith back. I\u2019ve received messages from specially-abled children narrating the story. That connection\u2014that it has touched hearts\u2014is the real success.\u201d<\/p>\n On the film\u2019s performance amid other releases like \u2018Saiyaara\u2019, \u2018Son Of Sardar 2\u2019, and \u2018Dhadak 2\u2019, Kumar emphasised that competition was never the intention. He said, \u201cFor any producer, it takes a lot\u2014and a lot of courage\u2014to create something like this. My producers, including my wife Shilpa, Apar Group, and Hombale Films, have done a great job carrying this film. But it was never our intent to throw anyone off guard. It just so happens that the people have spoken.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a story of Bharat. From my heart, I\u2019m giving it to the people of Bharat. It\u2019s not my film anymore\u2014it\u2019s your film, everyone\u2019s film. You embrace it and take it to the pedestal where it deserves to be. I\u2019m not saying other films are bad for any reason\u2014it\u2019s just that audiences are embracing this right now. Saiyara has done good business, too, and people are embracing that film as well. I haven\u2019t watched Saiyara. But I\u2019m not looking at it as competition. My perspective is simple\u2014I have a story to tell, one that resonates deeply with my heart and soul. I know it will connect with your soul and with many others. That\u2019s all I\u2019m here to present,\u201d the director concluded.<\/p>\n Earlier, speaking exclusively to India Today Digital, Chaluve Gowda, co-founder of Hombale Films, expressed his happiness seeing the success of ‘Mahavatar Narsimha’.<\/a><\/strong> The makers also confirmed that work on the upcoming film, ‘Mahavatar Parasuram’ has already begun.<\/p>\n – Ends<\/p>\n