After a strong theatrical debut across India earlier this week, the much-anticipated animated film Mahavatar Narsimha, directed by Ashwin Kumar, is now facing an urgent and unexpected crisis: piracy.
Positive reviews and an enthusiastic reception were marred when illegal mobile recordings of the film began to surface on social media, seriously endangering the film’s financial viability and future prospects for similar productions.
“While devotees and friends of ISKCON may be eager to share this film, some have recorded parts of it on their phones and are posting or forwarding it,” said Anuttama Dasa, ISKCON’s Global Minister of Communications. “That is illegal and unacceptable. Please do not film, view, or share this movie through any unauthorized means.”
He continued: “The small expense of going to a theater is insignificant compared to the years of effort, devotion, and financial investment that went into creating Mahavatar Narsimha. If someone shares it with you, don’t watch it—and absolutely do not forward it.”
Director Ashwin Kumar echoed the urgency of the appeal. “This is doing IMMENSE DAMAGE to us, in unprecedented ways,” he said. Piracy of this kind threatens not only this film’s success but the entire future of devotional filmmaking.
Anuttama Dasa emphasized that anyone who receives pirated footage should take immediate action. “Tell them to stop, not to forward it to anyone else, and to delete it from their device,” he said.
The filmmakers and ISKCON leaders urge the public to protect and respect the integrity of this spiritual and artistic offering by supporting it only through authorized theatrical viewings.
To get the latest details about the film and its broader release, please follow Hombale Films on Instagram. The worldwide international release will be in ten days.
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