Director Ashwin Kumar, known for his animated film Mahavatar Narsimha, recently shared his thoughts on Indian mythology in cinema and why he chose animation over live-action like Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which stars Ranbir Kapoor.
In an exclusive with SCREEN, Ashwin emphasized the depth and richness of Indian puranic stories. He stated that unlike Western cinema, which builds fictional cinematic universes, Indian filmmakers have access to a vast and meaningful historical and mythological base. He rejected the term “mythology” in the Western sense, calling India’s past not a “myth” but a real, strong cultural legacy.
Speaking on the success of Mahavatar Narsimha, the first film in Hombale Films’ seven-part Mahavatar Universe, Ashwin said it was the right time for Indian cinema to tap into its heritage and bring forward stories that inspire pride and knowledge. The film, which focuses on one avatar of Lord Vishnu, earned ₹7.5 crore on its opening weekend.
Ashwin subtly critiqued the habit of equating actors with deities, stating that animation allows for greater creative reverence without human projection. He believes this medium better honors divine representations and encourages the audience to focus on the essence of the story rather than the face of the actor.
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