The snowball effect is happening. For years and years the Indian animation industry was waiting for that one elusive flag bearer which would convince the mainstream about its potential and with Hanuman, Sahara Percept have done just that!

~ADVERTISEMENTS~

In an announcement that will sound like the most melodious music to all Indian animation lovers, Media Conglomerate Adlabs has announced its first foray into animation films in collaboration with Southern super star Rajnikanth's studio Ochre Studios.

The animation film which will be based on Rajnikanth and feature all his signature style, dialogues and mannerisms, has been a dream project of Rajnikanth's daughter Soundarya who is also the MD of Ochre Studios.

The film is being budgeted at around Rs 10 Crore. Speaking to Animation 'xpress, Adlabs Chairman and Managing Director Manmohan Shetty stated "The movie is going to be a combination of 2D and 3D animation. Things are currently in preliminary stages and based on the rough storyboard estimates the movie will be made in the range of Rs 10 Crore"

On being asked about what timelines have been set, Shetty remarked,"The scripting and final storyboarding etc have just been kickstarted and the film should be ready within two years time"

Ochre Studios CEO V Venkat told Animation 'xpress."Part of the production will be done at our studios and we are also in talks with a number of International animation studios for the project, we want the very best in quality"

On being asked about which language would the film be released? Venkat replied,"To begin with English, Hindi and Tamil"

The announcement of this animation project also rings a note about the preferences of generation next, as the two people behind the whole initiative for the animation feature have been Ochre Studios MD Soundarya Rajnikanth and Adlabs Director Pooja Shetty.

"I am extremely thrilled to say that an animated full-length feature film, featuring an Indian icon, which has never been attempted before, has been taken up jointly by us," said Soundarya.

"Over 50% of Indian population is below 20. There is a dearth of quality animation content originating from India and Adlabs is in the process of creating a system that would look into development of animation content and its marketing and distribution requirements," said Pooja Shetty.

Yet another striking thing about an animation film featuring Rajnikanth is the big potential market it would have in international markets like Japan where the Icon is extremely popular. And what with the Japanese Pokemons and Beyblades flooding Indian markets, its high time Indian animated content flooded Japanese markets too!

Stay Tuned for More!