Ashwin Kumar, director of the new animated film Mahavatar Narsimha, discusses why Indian cinema is increasingly turning to ancient stories and how animation helps avoid the trap of “projecting God onto the actor” in mythological productions.
Tapping into India’s Rich Narratives
Hombale Films’ new Mahavatar Universe has kicked off with the successful animated film, Mahavatar Narsimha, the first of seven planned films based on Lord Vishnu’s avatars. Director Ashwin Kumar believes it’s high time Indian cinema fully embraces the nation’s profound ‘puranic tales’. He prefers this term over ‘mythology,’ which he feels implies concocted stories, stressing that India possesses a rich, rooted history.
Kumar agrees with Ajay Devgn’s recent comment that Indian cinema has its own vast mythological wellspring, unlike Hollywood’s created universes. He emphasizes the need to access these stories authentically, ensuring their spirit and divinity resonate deeply, rather than merely serving as entertainment.
History vs. Mythology
For some, ancient Indian stories are just myths, not history. Ashwin Kumar, however, strongly asserts their historical and archaeological validity. He isn’t seeking validation but rather celebrating a past that resonates with him and the virtues he lives by.
He sees these narratives as crucial to the survival and resilience of Indian civilization through various challenges. The stories, he believes, continue to provide an anchor for many across the land.
The Poetic Justice of Mahavatar Narsimha
Mahavatar Narsimha tells a classic underdog tale, where the hero faces overwhelming odds. The film explores themes of poetic justice, where even those with divine boons, like Hiranyakashyap, cannot escape the consequences of their actions. It highlights how dharma (righteousness) ultimately prevails, no matter how much one tries to bypass universal systems.
Prahlada, despite his lack of power, is central to the story. His unwavering faith and invocation of Lord Vishnu are what make Narsimha’s appearance possible, demonstrating that devotion holds a power far greater than any boon.
Why Animation for Divine Tales?
Ashwin Kumar chose animation for Mahavatar Narsimha for several key reasons. It allows for exaggeration and the creation of fantastical worlds and divine beings that might be harder to justify in live-action without immense cost.
Crucially, animation also helps escape a common pitfall in India: “We have a habit of projecting the God onto the actor and the actor onto the God.” This complex discourse, seen recently with the casting debates around Ranbir Kapoor and Yash in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, is largely sidestepped in an animated format, allowing the divine entity itself to be the hero.
Beyond Cartoons: An Epic Vision
Kumar aims to break the stereotype that animation is solely for children or mere cartoons. The Mahavatar Universe is designed to be serious, epic, and a cinematic world built with handcrafted detail and cinematic tools. It’s a labor of love, crafted by animators who bring physics and detailed effects to the screen.
Lessons for the Next Generation
For Gen-Z, Ashwin Kumar hopes Mahavatar Narsimha instills faith and pride in their identity. In a time when many face depression and anxiety, he believes these stories can help young people appreciate who they are and find stability.
The film, he suggests, can help audiences find their “anchor” in life, understanding their relationship with the divine. While life will always have its ups and downs, finding this anchor provides a crucial sense of stability.
