Oscars 2026: Mahavatar Narsimha enters Best Animated Feature race alongside Demon Slayer – Infinity Castle
Oscars 2026 sees a major boost for Indian animation as Mahavatar Narsimha officially enters the Best Animated Feature race alongside global contenders like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. The mythological epic's strong box office run and international reception have positioned it as a surprising and promising competitor.
Mahavatar Narsimha: India’s homegrown animation industry has received a major boost as Mahavatar Narsimha, directed by Ashwin Kumar, has been officially listed among the 35 films eligible for the Best Animated Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards. The ceremony is scheduled for March 16, 2026, with the highly anticipated shortlist set to be announced on December 16, 2025.
The inclusion marks a significant milestone for the Indian mythological epic, which now finds itself competing with global giants such as Zootopia 2, Elio, and Ne Zha 2.
Mahavatar Narsimha enters Best Animated Feature race at Oscars 2026
The film’s eligibility has been secured after it completed a qualifying commercial run in the United States. As per Academy regulations, a film must screen for at least seven consecutive days at a single theatre, with a minimum of three showings per day and at least one screening between 6 pm and 10 pm. Mahavatar Narsimha met all these criteria through its limited but strategically planned theatrical engagement.
Mahavatar Narsimha budget and collection
Released in India on July 25, the mythological adventure narrates the story of Lord Vishnu’s avatars, Varaha and Narsimha, and serves as the first chapter of a proposed seven-part cinematic universe. The project was conceptualised, written, and directed by Ashwin Kumar, produced under his home banner in collaboration with Hombale Films, the powerhouse behind KGF and Kantara. Mounted on an approximate budget of Rs 40 crore, the film became a runaway success, grossing over Rs 325 crore in India and crossing the Rs 400 crore mark worldwide.
It also outperformed major animated titles such as Disney’s The Lion King (2019) and Rajinikanth’s Kochadaiiyaan, establishing itself as one of the highest-grossing Indian animated films of all time.
Following its theatrical triumph, the film began streaming on Netflix, further expanding its global reach and strengthening its Oscar campaign visibility. Its strong international reception has now placed it alongside major competitors from across the world, including KPop Demon Hunters, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, and several Hollywood-backed animated features expected to dominate predictions.
For now, all eyes are on December 16, when the Academy reveals whether this Indian animated blockbuster secures a coveted spot in the official shortlist.