J Bole toh Jadoo -Amongst the top rated shows on Nick

Headed by veteran Ram Mohan, Mumbai based Graphiti Multimedia is all set to cast magic over MIPCOM 2005 with its original liveaction cum animation series J Bole to Jadoo which is co-produced by Nickelodeon Asia.

Speaking to Animation 'xpress, Graphiti Director & COO Munjal Shroff commented,"This is my first MIPCOM, I have been to MIPTV before and Graphiti clearly realises that both the MIPs are significant markets for animation properties"

"This year in addition to our other IPs we also have J Bole to Jadoo, which was one of the first 3D live action animation shows to be made in India, and is also amongst the top rated shows on Nickelodeon"

This year at MIPCOM, Graphiti will be looking for Syndication (with broadcasters) & distribution (home video) for J Bole Toh Jadoo. Besides, the studio also has three other IPs which it shall pitch at the market, including Tree House Set, Action Hero BC and Krish, Trish and Balti Boy. It will also market its animation skills to studios looking to outsource work.

"Outsourcing is now a big part of our business with clients such as Disney. We've just completed a series of idents and bumpers for Disney's Peek character. 3D & Flash are our core skills" remarked Munjal.

"We are also co-sponsoring the FICCI luncheon at Hotel Carlton on October 18 during MIPCOM. The idea is to make the presence of Indian animation felt in the global market. Also to make them realise that India is clearly a destination .It is sort of a coalition under the FICCI umberella" he added.

Jadoo sipping Narial pani at Tarkopar

On being asked as to what selling potential did he see for J Bole.... in the International markets, Munjal replied that,"The biggest potential is for other Asian markets, as well as with countries that have substantial Indian diaspora. The great thing about ..Jadoo is that it is based upon the popular character from Rakesh Roshan's blockbuster Koi Mil Gaya which did well overseas too. Again the theme is that of Kids' interaction with aliens and their adventures. It is every kid's fantasy to be with an alien and to have some extraordinary experiences. That theme is universal and can connect to viewers across."

Built around the popular alien character from Rakesh roshan's Koi Mil Gaya, J bole to ... is about Jadoo, an alien who happens to enter the lives of 2 kids on planet earth and the interplanetary adventures that ensue.

Trump - A charcter from Tree House set

The story starts off from where Jadoo (from earth) returns to his home planet Tarkopar, and narrates his earth experience to fellow Tarkoparites. Intrigued by his exploits, Tona his girlfriend decides to visit earth. Once on earth she befriends Nina and Chakki, two orphans staying with their uncle.

However Namitshak, the resident evil of Tarkopar, kidnaps Tona with the help of his crony Dr V'Nash. Eventually Jadoo comes to the rescue and with the help of new friends on earth manages to rescue her.

The series includes 20 different characters, notable amongst them being Namitshak's side kick Ghussu (an evil fly), Moonbikers (Mercenary space bikers), Davanal (Fire monster), Half Time (The wise old man of Tarkopar) and Marcosa (The evil queen of Zarsa).

"We realised that there is a complete dearth of Indian content in animation. We wanted to be the first to address this. We saw the potential of Jadoo and decided to do a series around him" commented Munjal.

Tona travels to earth - A still from J Bole toh Jadoo

While Jadoo is about space and interplanetary interaction, Krish, Trish & Balti Boy is a show based on classical Indian storytelling tradition of the sutradhar. The narrator in this style of Indian stories not only leads into the story but also interacts with the story.

"The visual styling for Krish, Trish & Balti Boy is based on Indian folk art such as Madhubani, Varli, Tanjore Paintings, Kathputli...Shadow puppeting etc, every episode will feature a different style" remarked Munjal.

Even as Jadoo casts his magic over MIPCOM, Animation 'xpress will be there to keep you updated, straight from Cannes. Stay Tuned!

- Anand Gurnani