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The new technology in special effects and the increasing popularity of the subject have led to the studios spending a ton of money on projects based on the legends and customs of ancient times. These are films that have shown the versatility of mythology-themed cinema – both in terms of their budgets and what they have to offer. These are the top ten film adaptations of myths and legends that were made into big-screen films.
Tumbbad (2018)
Tumbbad was about the mythical god Hastar and was a mix of horror, folklore, and mythology. The film received critical praise for its world-building, atmosphere, and reinterpretation of ancient legends.
Brahmastra: The First Part (2022)
Brahmāstra was based on the concept of divine astras from Hindu mythology and was star-studded with Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. In the field of visual effects, the movie was perhaps one of the largest fantasy productions in Bollywood with its extensive visual effects, and it reportedly incurred a cost of over ₹400 crore.
Kantara (2022)
The folklore and the Bhoota Kola traditions of coastal Karnataka inspired Kantara. Under the direction of director and actor Rishab Shetty, the movie became a nationwide hit and brought to the fore the increasing interest of the public in local mythology-based stories.
Karthikeya 2 (2022)
The mystery adventure was of a doctor who discovered some secrets related to Lord Krishna and the lost city of Dwarka. The movie was a big hit at the box office and reaffirmed the potential for films based on mythological themes.
Ram Setu (2022)
Akshay Kumar starred in the movie on the legendary bridge of Ramayana, Ram Setu. The film combined adventure and mythology, and introduced to the big screen one of India’s most talked-about ancient legends.
Adipurush (2023)
Adipurush is based on the epic Ramayana, featuring Prabhas as Raghava, Kriti Sanon as Janaki, and Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh. It was made on an estimated budget of ₹500 crore-plus, making it one of the most costly movies in the Indian film industry.
Kalki 2898 AD (2024)
Kalki 2898 AD was directed by Nag Ashwin and featured a blend of science fiction and Hindu mythology relating to Lord Kalki. The movie stars Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan, and was one of India’s biggest and most ambitious films.
Bramayugam (2024)
The film is a horror drama in Malayalam with Mammootty, in which a lot of folklore and ancient beliefs were incorporated. The film’s atmospheric narrative and mythological elements garnered critical praise and highlighted the potential of culturally specific stories to be adapted for the big screen.
Mahavatar Narsimha (2025)
Mahavatar Narsimha popularized the legend of Lord Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu, with the help of animation. The movie was a big production in terms of its visuals and showcased the growing size of mythological animated films in India.
Mirai (2025)
Mirai incorporated mythology and fantasy and was inspired by Indian spiritual themes and legends. It was an ambitious film, scaled up, and was one of several films to rework mythological concepts for contemporary audiences.
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