In a year dominated by big-budget spectacles and star-driven extravaganzas, the surprise package of 2025 has turned out to be an animated film. Ashwin Kumar’s Mahavtar Narsimha has scripted history by grossing Rs 183.79 crore in its 38-day run at the Hindi box office, thereby surpassing Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 (Rs 183.38 crore) to emerge as the third biggest Hindi hit of the year so far.For an animated film traditionally considered a niche category in India to beat a mainstream masala entertainer backed by one of Bollywood’s most successful franchises is no small feat. But Mahavtar Narsimha has managed to achieve this, thanks to its strong rooted storytelling and an emotional connect that resonated with audiences across age groups.The film opened on a very slow note but the film picked up on positive reviews and strong word-of-mouth ensured that the collections only grew from there. By its second week, the film had already crossed Rs 85 crore mark proving that the film had mass appeal far beyond expectations.What sets Mahavtar Narsimha apart is it’s storytelling, blending mythology with rooted emotions helped it connect with ages across the board.Parents brought their children to understand the battle between good and evil, but repeat viewership came even from adult audiences who were captivated by the film’s emotional depth.Even after big releases like Rajinikanth’s Coolie and Hrithik Roshan–Jr NTR’s War 2, the film managed to hold its own.Its long legs at the box office demonstrate not just popularity but also cultural impact.The comparison with Housefull 5 makes the achievement even sweeter. While the comedy franchise was one of the most awaited films of the year and opened strong, its collections fizzled out after the initial weeks, it ended its lifetime run at Rs 183.38 crore.A mythological animated feature overtaking one of Bollywood’s most commercially secure franchises speaks volumes about shifting audience tastes in 2025.As it stands, Mahavtar Narsimha is now only behind Saiyaara and Chhaava among Hindi films this year, cementing its place as a blockbuster and a milestone for Indian animation. Its success could very well open doors for more ambitious animated films in Bollywood, proving that content-driven cinema regardless of genre will always find its audience.The overall collection of Mahavatar Narasimha across languages stands at Rs 244.29 crore and if the trend continues it will also become the first animation film to cross Rs 250 crore mark.
