Latest news with #Narasimha
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
'It will send great message': ISKCON books cinema hall to screen Mahavatar Narsimha for devotees
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 29 (ANI): Ashwin Kumar's latest mythological animated release, 'Mahavatar Narsimha', has emerged as a sleeper hit, impressing audiences across the country. Made under the banner of Hombale Films, 'Mahavatar Narsimha' focuses on Lord Narasimha, the half-man and half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. Amid the rousing response and a decent box office performance, the film has also received praise from ISKCON. ISKCON Siliguri has booked an entire movie theatre to screen the film for devotees. "We have booked the whole movie theatre here for the devotees. Tomorrow as well, our devotees will come to watch this movie. A lot of devotees have come here to attend the screening. It will send a great message to the movie promotes Indian culture and helps people to understand our philosophy easily," ISKCON Silliguri spokesperson Nam Krishna Das told ANI. Earlier, the organisation took to their official social media handle and stated that 'Mahavatar Narsimha' is a "testimony of the hard work of many ISKCON members," who they explained have strived to make the younger generation connect with spiritual content and learn the culture. "Audiences across the country have praised the storyline, the VFX and the overall presentation. Watch it with your family and friends and feel the presence of Lord Narasimha!" the post further added. Written and directed by Ashwin Kumar, 'Mahavatar Narsimha' has connected with viewers from all age groups, with positive responses pouring across social media platforms. The makers have also shared updates on the film's performance, revealing that it became the #1 movie at the Indian box office on Monday, July 28. According to trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the animation film's Hindi version has collected ₹ 14.70 crore within three days of release, thus bringing another addition to Hombale Films' hit slate. The production house is known for delivering award-winning blockbusters like the 'KGF' franchise and 'Kantara'. It is now slated for the release of 'Kantara: Chapter 1' in October this year. (ANI)
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Rana Daggubati, Vijay Sethupathi ideal to play Hiranyakashyap: Director Ashwin Kumar
Director Ashwin Kumar, who is basking in the success of his debut animated mythological epic 'Mahavatar Narsimha', says there was never a question of casting an actor as Lord Narasimha. In an exclusive chat with India Today, Kumar explains that the film is rooted in bhakti and reverence, and animation gave him both creative freedom and purity of expression. He also opens up about why Indian mythology needs its own indigenous animation revolution and how even a live-action version would still have depicted the deity idea was always to depict Lord Narasimha in all his glory and reverence,' says director Ashwin Kumar. 'But the lens through which I approached it was one of bhakti—a deep devotion, because we are bhakts (devotees) ourselves. Lord Vishnu is very important to us, and Narasimha Bhagwan is one of our most predominant protection deities. We pray to him daily in our homes. So, naturally, the vision was that of devotion, not a skewed idea of what's offensive or not. That's not my concern—it's about glorification."To avoid any cultural misrepresentation, Kumar ensured the script was grounded in sacred texts and regional lore. "We consulted the shastras (epic texts), the lok kathas (folklore), and all the stories and leelas (mystical tales) associated with the deity. The idea was to bring in those small but meaningful details in a way that resonates with people emotionally and spiritually." On taking cinematic liberties, he explains, "We avoided major exaggerations. For example, in the shastras, Bhakt Prahlad is sent to the Gurukul (ancient school of religion, philosophy and other disciplines) twice, but we've shown it only once. These are minor adjustments to fit the narrative into a two-hour-ten-minute film, but the essence and learnings remain intact."Asked why he chose animation over live action, Kumar says, "There are two main reasons. First, animation offers space for exaggeration. When you're telling fantastical tales of gods with multiple arms and divine abilities, live action often falls short. Secondly, animation is a very pure storytelling medium. I'm not saying live action is impure—but when actors play gods, their personal lives often get projected onto the deity, which I wanted to avoid. I wanted people to see Narasimha, not an actor playing him."He adds, "Besides, live-action would've cost a hundred times more. Animation gives me creative control, and it's a field I've worked in. India has incredible animation talent working on international projects, but our indigenous animation industry needs a revolution. That's also why we're doing this—to open up the industry and create an ecosystem for telling our own stories."Watch trailer here: advertisementOn whether he ever thought of casting real actors, Kumar admits, "Even in a live-action version, I would still depict Lord Narasimha digitally. He cannot be played by an actor. For Hiranyakashyap, though, I would have considered someone like Mohanlal sir, Rana Daggubati, or Vijay Sethupathi—they would've fit beautifully."Kumar concludes by pointing out the practical challenges of casting actors for such an epic. "This film took four and a half years. It's unrealistic to expect any actor to commit to one project for that long, especially when you're a debut director. So, we used digital tools to create lifelike and soulful characters. I don't think the audience will feel anything is missing."'Mahavatar Narsimha' is part of Hombale Films' Mahavatar Cinematic epic-animation-drama was released on July 25, 2025.- Ends
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Gang of 10 held for ganja smuggling, chain-snatching
Vijayawada: Ongole Taluka police in Prakasam district arrested a ten-member gang involved in ganja peddling, substance abuse, and chain-snatching activities. The accused are Gunji Narasimha Rao (30), Bonthala Gopalakrishna, Enuganti Karthik (19), Shaik Altaf (28), Mota Naveen (27), Avulamanda Ankabbabu (40), Ekambaram Narendra (27), Tanniru Akhil (27), Kunduru Praveen (25), and Shaik Krupa Rao (37). Police also seized 1.5 kg ganja, valued at approximately Rs 30,000, and gold ornaments weighing around 145 grams, including five gold chains, one mangalsutra, and a black-beaded gold chain, collectively valued at Rs 14.5 lakh. According to Ongole DSP R Srinivasa Rao, the prime accused, Gunji Narasimha Rao, got addicted to ganja and developed contacts with smugglers from Odisha, including Milan Das, Shankar Patekar, and Hadi. He procured ganja from them at the Andhra-Odisha border at a rate of Rs 2,000 per kilogram. Narasimha travelled back to Ongole using a combination of rail and bus transport, repackaged the ganja into small sachets, and sold it to students near local colleges for anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 500 per packet. The proceeds were used to fund his lifestyle and personal expenses. Over time, Narasimha was joined by associates Gopalakrishna and Altaf, both of whom also consumed and sold ganja. The network gradually expanded to include the remaining accused, many of whom were Narasimha's acquaintances and clients. They operated together, consuming the drug and selling small sachets to others for a profit, which was shared among them. Recently, Narasimha made a trip to Visakhapatnam and then to the Andhra-Odisha border again to procure 1.5 kg ganja from his Odisha contacts. He brought it back via train and bus, and stored it at his residence in Ongole. On Friday night, as the group assembled near Mukthinuthalapadu village to divide and distribute the contraband, Ongole Taluka police, acting on a tip-off, conducted a raid and arrested all ten individuals on the spot. During the interrogation, it was revealed that one of the accused, Shaik Krupa Rao, was also involved in chain-snatching, particularly targeting women in residential areas. Police recovered gold jewellery weighing 145 grams from his possession, suspected to be stolen. DSP Srinivasa Rao stated that five more individuals from Odisha, including Milan Das, Shankar Patekar, and Hadi, who supplied ganja to Narasimha, are currently absconding. He assured that efforts are underway to track down and arrest these suppliers soon.
India.com
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This film, which has released recently, recovered half budget on its opening day, got rating of 9.8 on Book My Show and IMDb, movie is...
A thunderous blockbuster shattered all expectations on its opening day, boasting record-breaking audience ratings online and unprecedented early ticket sales, setting social media and entertainment platforms abuzz with awe. Which film is this? Here we are talking about 'Mahavatar Narsimha,' the animated spectacle of 2025 produced by Kleem Productions and presented by Hombale Films. Built as the first installment of an ambitious seven-film mythological franchise, it reimagines Lord Vishnu's avatar Narasimha in grand, visually stunning detail. Directed by Ashwin Kumar and produced by Shilpaa Dhawan, Kushal Desai, and Chaitanya Desai, the film delivers a lavish cinematic experience that resonates across generations. Why is Mahavatar Narsimha trending? The film made history by earning an astonishing 9.8/10 rating on both IMDb and BookMyShow, and a perfect 5/5 on Google—rare feats in Indian cinema. Such unanimous acclaim reflects the film's exceptional storytelling, technical innovation, and deep cultural resonance. Although official production budgets haven't been disclosed, the grandeur and quality suggest a high-cost animation venture. Despite this, early box office reports point to a massive success—sold-out shows, high occupancy rates, and full bookings on platforms like BookMyShow underline its market dominance. The film's outreach extended beyond theaters, trending across social media with clips, discussions, and fan excitement driving sustained interest. The power-packed line-up of Hombale Films Hombale Films, best known for monstrous projects like KGF, Salaar, Kantara, Bagheera and other renowned films, is now set to become one of the most enduring mythological projects in Indian cinema, Mahavatar Narsimha will launch a cinematic universe with films releasing every two years until 2037, covering avatars including Narasimha, Parshuram, Gokulananda, and Kalki. The line up features the story of ten divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu over the next decade. This universe will start with Mahavtar Narasimha (2025), followed by Mahavtar Parashurama (2027), Mahavtar Raghunandan (2029), Mahavtar Dwarkadhish (2031), Mahavtar Gokulananda (2033), Mahavtar Kalki Part 1 (2035) and Mahavtar Kalki Part 2 (2037). This universe will present Indian mythology to the audience with new technology and grandeur. Mahavatar Narsimha isn't just an animated feature; it's a celebration of cultural event, raising the bar for Indian visual storytelling, fan engagement, and cinema history. With stunning visuals, immersive mythic depth, and record-breaking ratings from the outset, the film carved out its success through content that spoke to the soul and spectacle that thrived in scale.
Hans India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CITU Calls for Nationwide General Strike on July 9 to Protect Constitutional and Labor Rights
Gadwal: The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has called upon workers and the general public to make the upcoming nationwide general strike on July 9 a grand success, asserting that the strike is being organized to safeguard the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of India. District Vice President of CITU, Mr. Upper Narasimha, gave a clarion call to the working class and the people at large to actively support and participate in the strike. On Saturday, he led a campaign at various key locations in Jogulamba Gadwal district, including the Old Bus Stand, Ganjipet, Chintalapet, Godown Hamalis, and Agricultural Market Hamalis, where pamphlets were released and distributed to mobilize support for the strike. Key Issues Highlighted: Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Narasimha expressed deep concern that the fundamental rights provided by the Constitution are under threat. He sharply criticized the central government for introducing four labor codes that, according to him, serve the interests of corporates at the expense of workers' welfare. He condemned the move to replace the standard 8-hour workday with a 12-hour legal provision, which he called regressive and exploitative. Mr. Narasimha also accused the government of slashing funds for social security schemes and attempting to dismantle trade unions, which are vital to the workers' rights movement. He highlighted how the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Justice Code) is being used to criminalize workers' rights activities. Activities such as distributing leaflets or conducting gate meetings at workplaces, which were previously legitimate forms of protest, are now being made punishable under non-bailable offenses, effectively stifling dissent and crushing constitutional rights. Labor Codes Designed to Enslave Workers, Says CITU Mr. Narasimha further criticized the government for reducing penalties for employers who violate labor laws, converting the Labor Department into a facilitation wing for employers, and failing to recognize scheme workers as legitimate laborers. He accused the government of designing the four new labor codes to create an environment where strikes are impossible and workers are pushed back into bonded labor-like conditions. He urged both workers and the public to rise up in defense of constitutional and labor rights and make their voices heard by participating in large numbers in the nationwide general strike on July 9. Leaders and Participants Several other labor leaders and workers participated in the awareness campaign, including: Ramakrishna, Town President of the Building Construction Workers Union Shiva, District Vice President of the Civil Supplies Union Ranganna, President of the Hamali Workers Union Ramudu, Raju, Gopal, Srihari, Ramakrishna, Kalyan, Ram Anjaneyulu, Singotam Chinna, Naresh, and Hanumanth among others. The event underscored the growing unrest among the labor community in Jogulamba Gadwal and across India, as workers prepare to assert their rights through collective action on July 9.
