In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian cinema, the animated mythological epic Mahavatar Narsimha has stormed past the Rs 100 crore mark at the domestic box office, becoming the first Indian animated film to reach this coveted milestone. Directed by Ashwin Kumar and released on July 25, 2025, the film has captivated audiences across India, drawing comparisons to the cultural phenomenon of Kantara due to its massive family appeal and strong word-of-mouth momentum. With a global gross of over Rs 210 crore, the film is rewriting the rules for Indian animation and setting a new benchmark for the industry.A Record-Breaking JourneyMahavatar Narsimha, produced by Hombale Films and Kleem Productions, achieved the Rs 100 crore nett mark in India within just 12 days of its theatrical run, a feat no other Indian animated film has accomplished. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film earned Rs 106.05 crore nett by its 12th day, with a staggering Rs 23.1 crore nett on its second Sunday alone, showcasing its unrelenting box office dominance. By August 11, 2025, its domestic nett collection had climbed to Rs 171.92 crore, with a worldwide gross of Rs 210 crore, surpassing international animated blockbusters like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Rs 56.30 crore), Incredibles 2 (Rs 54.50 crore), and Frozen 2 (Rs 54 crore).The film’s journey began modestly, with an opening day collection of Rs 1.75 crore nett in India. However, positive word-of-mouth and a multi-language release strategy propelled its growth, with the first week closing at Rs 44.75 crore nett. The second week saw a remarkable surge, with Rs 38.50 crore nett collected over the weekend, driven by strong performances in Hindi (Rs 32.45 crore) and Telugu (Rs 10.82 crore) markets. The film’s appeal in Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam versions further broadened its reach, with occupancies as high as 30.65% in Hindi and 24.89% in Telugu.Surpassing Competition and Setting RecordsDespite competing with major releases like Saiyaara, Son of Sardaar 2, Dhadak 2, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Mahavatar Narsimha has outperformed expectations. On its second Monday, it earned Rs 8 crore nett, surpassing Son of Sardaar 2 (Rs 2.25 crore), Dhadak 2 (Rs 1.4 crore), and Saiyaara (Rs 2.5 crore) on the same day. The film has also outgrossed recent Bollywood titles like Bhool Chuk Maaf (Rs 74.81 crore), Jaat (Rs 90.34 crore), and Kesari 2 (Rs 94.48 crore), cementing its place among the year’s top performers.Globally, the film has earned $300,000 in North America and is expanding to Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Its budget of Rs 40 crore has already been dwarfed by its returns, marking a significant return on investment for Hombale Films and Kleem Productions.What’s Next?As Mahavatar Narsimha continues its theatrical run, its creators have dismissed rumors of an imminent OTT release, urging audiences to experience the epic in cinemas. With its unprecedented success, the film is not only a box office juggernaut but a cultural milestone, sparking hope for the future of Indian animation. As director Ashwin Kumar told SCREEN, “It’s about time we access our puranic tales, feel proud, and build universes for future generations.”