Continuing with our daily update on the Animated Super Star of India, Chhota Bheem. Tuesday was better than Monday for Chhota Bheem and the curse of Damayaan… the total Box Office tally of the movie has crossed INR 2.05 Crores (20.5 Million) in the first five days…
Animationxpress.com spoke to some of the renowned Industry Stalwarts on their reactions to ‘Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damayaan’, their anticipation on ‘Arjun-The Warrior Prince’, directed by Arnab Chaudhuri and produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Pictures, releasing on the 25th of this week & on their upcoming projects.
Ashish S K. CEO, Reliance Animation, Pune
‘The success of Chhota Bheem marks the beginning of good times for the Indian animation industry. Chhota Bheem has created a path breaking success on television and the character following would definitely appeal to kids as a feature film. I have no doubt that it will cross the set barriers and run successfully on the box office.’
‘Following the success of Chhota Bheem and even the timing of the film releasing at the end of IPL would give the desired opening and a successful run for the much stylized Arjun. Animation lovers in India would experience the variety in design and treatments within the same month of May 2012. With this the appreciation for quality animation in India would definitely increase. It will establish a new high for the other animated films to come.’
‘Krishna aur Kans’, our upcoming animation movie, is coming at an appropriate time this Janmashthami.
The process has started with a good beginning, the trailer in 3D releasing with Dangerous Ishq followed by few other 3D movies to come during May, June and July.
We are blessed to find a positive phase of time with the release of Chhota Bheem as well as Arjun, providing a momentum and increasing the audience appetite for the release of the rest of the animated feature films.
As a great amount of work has happened over a period of a substantial time frame KAK have an extremely good line up of music which is due release during the month of June. The music of KAK is definitively one of its greatest USP’s. We are in the process of closing the Licensing & merchandising deals.
For the film 3rd Aug 2012 being a worldwide release, it will have a vast reach as it will still be summer in most parts of the world. Having set the right platform and having done all the hard work in the right manner, we would like to rightfully position the movie in the space of family entertainment.
We think that with the support of several institutions, schools and temples worldwide we will be able to establish a much deserving space in the family entertainment genre which will help the industry to break all the barriers and apprehensions attached to animation because of the default kid’s genre positioning in India.
Kushal Ruia, Studio Head- ACK Animation Studios, Amar Chitra Katha Pvt. Ltd
“2012 looks to be promising and a landmark year for Indian animation on the big screen. Last weekend Chhota Bheem has hit theatres and I hear is doing well which is fantastic news.
Around the corner is the much anticipated Arjun which has teased us for so long. It’s great that it is finally coming out and I’m sure everyone is excited to catch it in theatres. I hear we also have Hey Krishna and Delhi Safari releasing this year!
But to bring the excitement home to ACK Animation Studios… we too have our very first theatrical feature film Sons of Ram coming out later this year and it is going to be presented in stereoscopic 3D. 40+ years of Amar Chitra Katha legacy coming alive on the big screen is a momentous occasion for us and hopefully for everyone who has grown up with these stories! The film is currently in post-production and I cannot wait to share it with audiences all over!”
Smita Maroo, Head – Animation Division, Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd.
“The good response to Chota Bheem is very encouraging for the entire Animation Industry. I hope the theatre owners realize the potential of Indian Animation films and keep supporting the animation film makers. I am very optimistic about Arjun and the other 4-5 films awaiting release this year. It is a full year with some great animation treat in store for the viewers.”
Nishith Takia, Co- Founder, Krayon Pictures
“Well, I have not yet seen Chhota Bheem, but I’ve heard applauding reviews from all the people I’ve met. This movie will do great because, it relates to the sentiments of kids and it is a property that is close to the kids hearts.
The biggest challenge for Indian Animation is to create awareness and translate interest into box office sales.
It’s proved to be difficult to get public in theatres to see animated films. But, with promising movies like Chhota Bheem, Arjun & hopefully Delhi Safari too, the audience will slowly start accepting Indian Animation films. We need to see the audience migrate from unpaid entertainment today of watching cartoons at home to paid entertainment, by watching the animated films in theatres.
Arjun – the warrior prince is looking great, the trailer is awesome & it’s comes out to be a very well directed movie. Arjun, I believe is a movie for mass audience. People of all age would love to see this film, I think. I am waiting to watch it myself.
I feel, our upcoming feature, Delhi Safari is a very touching emotional journey which has moved the audiences already at various Film Festivals. It has received encouraging response at Market Screenings screening’s at Cannes Film Festival, American Film Market, The Berlin Festival and official screenings at The Goa Film Festival and soon at Annecy International Film Festival on the 4th and 7th of June, 2012.”
Rahul Bakshi- Founder, Director, Phoebus Media
“I’m delighted, thrilled with the success of Rajiv & the entire team of Chhota Bheem. With Chhota Bheem, Rajiv has established a great model for our Indian Animation. He is indeed setting noteworthy standards for our Animation Industry.
With the creation of rich Indian Animated Content like Chhota Bheem Arjun- The Warrior Prince & many more great works in line, I wish to tell to the entire audience to start seeing & appreciating Indian animation content.
The audience is the king & its appreciation adds to the confidence of the creators.”
Pankaj Sharma, Founder, Astute Media Vision
‘The success of Chhota Bheem is prime news for our Animation Industry. Chhota Bheem has become a big Brand due to its TV Series on POGO, which is quite popular among Kids. The strong fan following of kids towards Chota Bheem has led to the creation of good no. of shows. I am very delighted to witness the great response it has got from the Box office, Congratulations to the Chhota Bheem Makers.
As Arjuna is backed by Disney/UTV, it’ll get good no. of shows. I have seen the promo and I have liked it. The releases of animation movies during this season is an Advantage because the movies are based on our rich Indian Mythology & also it’s vacation time for kids and no big releases are slated due to IPL.
Success of Chhota Bheem on Box Office should add positivity. One important aspect to be noted is that if, Arjuna -The Warrior Prince also gets good response from the Box office, it’ll be a healthy sign for our Indian animation & a motivating factor for the upcoming animation releases.
Astute Media Vision is ready with Bal Hanuman 4, Attack of the Universe and also working on a full length Action packed Hindi Entertainer based on the existing lifestyle in city with bikes and cars. Hopefully it shall be ready by July, 2012.’