Animated Films are not very popular in Indian subcontinent. Let’s see whether audience likes this first Indian cartoon film
Monkey ‘more super than superman’ to star in India’s first cartoon movie
Movie producers have announced a monkey god “more super than superman” will star in India’s first animated feature film.
The two-hour film, to be aimed at a young audience, will be released in Britain next year.
Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god who soars through the skies and beats up enemies with a mace, is the star character.
Hanuman, an Asian superhero revered for his bravery and loyalty, is usually portrayed as a chubby-faced, sometimes naughty child.
One of India’s major animation houses plans to release “Hanuman” in the Hindi language and English, and distribute it in Asia, the United States and Britain.
The movie shows Hanuman protecting villages and Hindu priests by chasing away fire-breathing dragons, seven-headed serpents and green demons.
“We have tried to go beyond Superman. Hanuman is like a super superhero,” said VG Samant, head of animation at production company Silvertoon, which is making the film.
“60% of this film is about the child Hanuman - how he tries to jump toward the sun, his mischievousness and also his strength,” added Samant.
Samant said, “Our research has shown that Hanuman is the favorite character of children in Thailand. Gods like Hanuman, Rama, Sita and others are well-known in the Philippines, Indonesia. People there know our mythology.”
If Hanuman is a success, there is more material for sequels.Hindu mythology and folklore are rich with kings, gods, magical powers, invisible warriors, bloodthirsty demons and dramatic battles.
A hit Hindi film makes around 250-300 million rupees (US$5-6 million) in India, while a well-received foreign animation film makes up to 20-40 million rupees (US$400,000-800,000)," said Komal Nata, who produces Film Information, a movie trade guide.
He said Indians were not yet captivated by animation and prefer actual characters. “But mythology can make a difference,” he said. If the Hanuman film “has a soul, people may change their perception about animation.”