Mahavatar Narsimha, Ashwin Kumar’s mythological animated film, has entered the list of 35 titles eligible for Best Animated Feature at the 98th Academy Awards. After a successful India run and Netflix release, its U.S. qualifying screenings secured eligibility
Mahavatar Narsimha poster
Mahavatar Narsimha, filmmaker Ashwin Kumar's mythological animated feature, has been named one of 35 films eligible for the animated feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 16. The official shortlist will be released on December 16, putting the picture in contention for one of animation's most coveted awards.
Mahavatar Narsimha enters the list of Oscars 2026
The film's eligibility is based on its qualifying commercial theatrical run in the United States, which featured a minimum of seven consecutive days in one venue with at least three showing per day, one between 6 and 10 p.m. The Academy specifies the qualifications for consideration in this category.
Mahavatar Narsimha depicts the story of Lord Vishnu's two avatars, Varaha and Narsimha, and is the first in a planned seven-film series. The film enjoyed a successful theatrical run in India before becoming accessible for streaming on Netflix.
#MahavatarNarsimha is on the Oscars 2026 eligibility list for Best Animated Feature, up against 35 films from around the world. pic.twitter.com/KXMnlipL2H
— Filmy Bowl (@FilmyBowl) November 25, 2025
Ashwin Kumar conceived and wrote the picture, which was produced under his own label in collaboration with Hombale Films, the company behind KGF and Kantara. It had a production expenditure of over Rs 40 crore and grossed more than Rs 325 crore in India.
Ashwin Kumar's vision with the film
Being Ashwin Kumar's debut film into animation, he shared with Hollywood Reporter, “Watching Hollywood movies has definitely been a big part of it. Experiences like seeing epics such as the Mahabharata on the big screen made a lasting impression. A lot of the inspiration has come from childhood memories, both from Hollywood and from Japanese anime, which I’ve been a huge fan of for years.”
He mentioned how movies like Terminator, Jurassic Park, Predator, Alien, Transformers, and Avatar inspired his approach. His love of anime flicks influenced the style of his latest release.
International competitors for the 35 animated features on the eligibility list include KPop Demon Hunters, Zootopia 2, Elio, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, and Ne Zha 2. Industry experts have highlighted that competition for the shortlist is fierce, with high-profile titles dominating projections.
Mahavatar Narsimha, which opened in theatres on July 25 in both 2D and 3D, is one of India's biggest-grossing films of the year. The film grossed over Rs 400 crore worldwide, outperforming 2019's 'The Lion King' and 'Kochadaiiyaan'.
The filmmakers are currently working on the second instalment of the Mahavatar Cinematic Universe, titled Mahavatar Parasuram.
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