Indian animation has taken a giant leap onto the global stage. Ashwin Kumar‘s animated feature, Mahavatar Narsimha, presented by Hombale Films and backed by Kleem Productions, has secured a coveted spot on the eligibility list for the Oscars 2026 in the Best Animated Feature Film category.
This achievement marks a significant moment for the Indian film industry, as the film, which chronicles the story of Lord Vishnu’s Narsimha avatar, becomes one of the 35 global contenders vying for one of the five final nomination spots.
Meeting the Academy’s Rigorous Criteria
To qualify, the film had to meet several stringent requirements set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including:
- Having a running time over 40 minutes, with animation comprising at least 75% of the film.
- Securing a qualifying theatrical release in the United States, including a public exhibition for a minimum of seven consecutive days in one of six specified metropolitan areas.
The mythological epic has successfully met these criteria and is also eligible to compete in the Best International Feature category under a recent rule change.
Homegrown Answer to Hollywood Superheroes
Mahavatar Narsimha, which performed exceptionally well at the Indian box office and earned over ₹300 crore worldwide on a reported budget of ₹40 crore, is the first installment in a planned seven-part animated cinematic universe.
Director Ashwin Kumar has previously framed the ambitious Mahavatar franchise as India’s answer to Hollywood’s superhero domination.
“The Mahavatar franchise will be an answer to them… We are hitting certain milestones and benchmarks with the film for the Indian audience and diaspora,” Kumar stated in an earlier interview, acknowledging the budgetary gaps while expressing confidence in the team’s ability to “figure things out” by the seventh film, Mahavatar Kalki (Part 2), slated for 2037.
Mahavatar Narsimha now faces stiff competition from major international studios, including titles like KPop Demon Hunters, The Bad Guys 2, Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, and Elio.
The final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2026, with the ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.