Are Mirai, HanuMan, and Folklore Films Creating India’s Harry Potter Moment?

The recent wave of commercial hits in Telugu cinema—Mirai, Mahavatar Narsimha, HanuMan, and Karthikeya 2—is redefining how Indian filmmakers approach storytelling. Drawing inspiration from ancient texts, folklore, and mythological epics, these films are creating immersive cinematic universes that could mark India’s own “Harry Potter” moment.

Actor Teja Sajja continues his streak with Mirai, following the blockbuster success of HanuMan (2025). Both films derive strength from Indian lore and legends, blending fantasy, faith, VFX, and supernatural themes to craft stories that resonate with modern audiences while staying rooted in tradition.

Director Karthik Gattamneni’s Mirai narrates a tale through the lens of the epic Kalinga war, emphasizing the power of ancient scriptures and divine faith. By connecting past, present, and future, the film celebrates spiritual beliefs while showcasing their relevance in contemporary society. Similarly, HanuMan, Karthikeya 2, and Kantara have leveraged regional narratives to achieve Pan-Indian appeal.

Parallel to Global Fantasy Icons
The protagonists of these films navigate divine powers and epic quests, evoking universal themes of heroism, self-discovery, and cosmic battles. Mirai and HanuMan, inspired by the Ramayana, Ramcharitmanas, and the Puranas, mirror the grand-scale storytelling of The Lord of the Rings. Like Tolkien’s Middle-earth, these films explore kingdoms, betrayals, and the triumph of righteousness, creating immersive worlds with cultural depth.

Cinematic Universe Potential
Animated films like Mahavatar Narsimha are already laying the foundation for cinematic universes, with future projects exploring all incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Similarly, Mirai and HanuMan could evolve into franchise-based storytelling on the scale of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, combining mythology, tradition, and superhero action. The cultural and philosophical depth of these films adds layers beyond mere spectacle, making them uniquely Indian fantasy epics.

Future Literary Adaptations
India’s literary wealth also offers fertile ground for cinematic exploration. Works like Christopher C. Doyle’s The Mahabharata Secret, Amish Tripathi’s Shiva Trilogy, and the Ran Chandra Series have captivated young audiences, demonstrating the potential for adaptation into films and series with epic narratives and Da Vinci Code-style intrigue.

Beyond Entertainment
These films are not just entertainment—they are a revival of India’s cultural and civilizational heritage. Regional cinema’s embrace of mysticism, folklore, and spiritual philosophy is democratizing ancient knowledge, while appealing to a global audience. Cosmic weapons in Mirai, Shiva’s battles in literary adaptations, and mythological superheroes are laying the groundwork for Indian folklore to rival Hogwarts, Westeros, or Wakanda in the global fantasy landscape.

With the proven track record of Telugu cinema and the richness of Indian epics, this new cinematic wave has the potential to redefine global fantasy storytelling while bringing India’s cultural narratives to the forefront.