3 Minutes
Short version
A viral side-by-side clip has set off a debate among gamers and cinephiles after a moment from the new Indian animated feature Mahavatar Narashimha was compared to the opening confrontation between Kratos and Baldur in Santa Monica Studio's 2018 blockbuster God of War. The clip, shared by the account Black Thunder, highlights frame-by-frame similarities that many viewers say look unusually close.
What the clip shows
The shared 19-second sequence places Mahavatar Narashimha’s battle shots beside the God of War scene. In both excerpts the hero is hurled through the air, smashes into the ground, faces a swarm of assailants who fumble their attacks, and then pulls a tree from the earth as a weapon. The timing of strikes, camera angles and a handful of poses appear to match beat for beat — a detail that fuels questions about inspiration versus imitation.
Context: adaptation, influence and legal grey areas
God of War (2018) is widely regarded as one of the standout narrative and action games of the PS4 era, praised for cinematic combat and striking boss encounters. That visual vocabulary has influenced many creators beyond games — directors, concept artists and animators often borrow composition, pacing and camera moves from successful media. Whether such borrowing crosses into copyright infringement depends on how specific and original the copied expression is; general ideas and shot types are not protectable.
This case sits at the intersection of two trends: a rising ambition in Indian animation to craft large-scale mythic cinema, and a global conversation about intellectual property as media forms — games, films and streaming animation — increasingly reference one another.
Fan reaction and industry notes
Social media reaction is split. Some fans call the resemblance a clear rip-off; others argue it could be homage or convergent design given similar mythic battle beats. Mahavatar Narashimha premiered at the India International Film Festival 2024 and reached theaters this year, so international viewers are only now discovering it. Online debate also raises questions about how smaller productions can be influenced by major international titles without attracting legal or reputational fallout.
Trivia: the film’s title references Narasimha, a fierce avatar in Hindu mythology — a thematic choice that naturally lends itself to epic clashes and larger-than-life imagery.
Whether the resemblance is accidental, intentional, or somewhere in between, the conversation underscores how video games and cinema continue to borrow language from each other as both industries push for more cinematic spectacle.
In the end, viewers will decide whether the echo feels like flattering homage or an uncomfortable copy.
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