In an effort to live up to their promise of delivering a feature film every year since debuting in 2012 with Chhota Bheem, which was made at a budget of Rs 4 crore but recovered only Rs 3.3 crore; the team at Green Gold Animation, led by Rajiv Chilaka followed it up with the second feature Chhota Bheem and The Throne of Bali (2013) raking in only Rs 4.3 crore from its nearly Rs 8 crore investment.
2014 saw Mighty Raju: Rio Calling, a 96 minute 2D flick made with a production budget of Rs 4 crore was targeted at the two to nine year age group. It was released across 300 multiplex screens in India on 16 May this year, followed by releases in West Asia, UK, US and Southeast Asia in a phased manner.
Continuing its popular streak, Green Gold Pictures has announced its upcoming animation film in the Chhota Bheem series, titled The Himalayan Adventure of Chhota Bheem, which is slated to release in the summer of 2015. This will be its fourth animation feature length film in the last three years.
The team of Chhota Bheem headed by producer and director Rajiv Chilaka went on an expedition to Himalayan heights to have a feel of the location and what’s in the air as a precursor for the making of their new venture in which the iconic character would trek the highlands covered with adventure, hair-pin curves, snow-clad peaks, trees, valleys and steep roads.
Speaking exclusively to AnimationXpress.com, Rajiv says: “It was not just a joy ride, but a blend of pleasure and profession. We were excited to start the journey at Manali, the foothills of Himalayas and the kids enjoyed the journey the most, which was exactly what we expected as we were seeing in them the possible reactions and reflections of Chhota Bheem and other characters. There was reason to cherish as the dress code, which includes heavy wool, skating equipment and the uphill climb and downhill slide were all but enjoyable.”
The team had a firsthand experience of the local conditions and the forthcoming venture would attempt to carry a realistic view of the snow land, instead of imaginary sequences and concocted notations.
Green Gold Animation plans to launch the trailer later this December. Talking about the trailer, Rajiv adds: “The trailer takes you through the glimpses of emotional and breathtaking journey of Chhota Bheem along with his friends and foes into the hilly terrain of Himalayas. The life and times of the snowy land is captured with acumen as Chhota Bheem exploits in the highlands of Himalayas is shown in a lucid and gripping narrative.”
Chhota Bheem will be seen in a new avatar, as he dons an ice jacket and treads through the snowy path to outwit his opponents with his gang of four.
This time around the budget for this 90 odd minute 2D animation feature is hovering between Rs 5-6 crore and the team is also experimenting with using 3D backgrounds blended with the flash animation for the characters.
On his expectations from the film he exults: “Animation feature films are a tricky thing to handle, especially in India where animation is perceived to be only for the kids. But, with the recent success of the Harry Baweja produced 3D animation film – Chaar Sahibzaade – there is some interest shown by the audience, so I will also take this platform to applaud their work and helping in encouraging the consumption of more animation.”
In all there are 250 artists working on this new venture, which is currently in the production stage. There are 30 people working on the layout and another 30 working on creating the background imagery, supported by 30 artists working on concept and character design. There will be another 90 artists joining the current 90 man strong team for the completion of the production by March 2015, who will then be working alongside 60 people to complete the post production and set the release date by May 2015.
“Though Himalayas are within our country the reach and visits are relatively low and people are not too aware of the picturesque region, and the team has done a brilliant job to capture them,” expounds Rajiv on choosing Himalayas as the location for the film’s setting.
Since Mighty Raju: Rio Calling had roped in Sunidhi Chauhan to croon a jazz track and Bali Brahmbhatt belting out a rap song with football jargon, can we expect to see someone from the music fraternity to lend his/her voice to this flick as well? “I really want to work with Yo! Yo! Honey Singh, but I am not too sure if he will fit into our budget. He is a hit with the kids and adults alike and that would be a great calling card for us,” reveals Rajiv.
Also read:
Green Gold Team visits Himalayas for their next venture
Rajiv Chilaka’s Mighty Challenge