The Martian was originally released in , it gained renewed popularity in
- The Potato Farming Scene: Watney uses his own feces as fertilizer to grow potatoes in Martian soil. This scene, detailed and gross yet inspiring, was praised for its raw depiction of survival.
- The Iron Man Maneuver: When Watney pierces his suit to use air pressure as propulsion to reach his crew, Telugu fans compared it to superhero moments in Baahubali.
- The Global Collaboration: The film shows NASA, Chinese space agencies, and other international bodies working together—a theme that appealed to the Indian (and specifically Telugu) value of Vasudhaika Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
In 2021, the movie became available on various streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, with both dubbed and subtitled options. This means that viewers can choose to watch the movie in Telugu with subtitles or without, depending on their preference.
While 2021 saw the release of major original Telugu films like Pushpa: The Rise and Vakeel Saab , The Martian trended as a top recommendation for sci-fi fans.