The Indian TV screen is all set to be surrounded by adventurous and brave stories of gallantry of soldiers from the Indian Defence Services (IDS). The production of an animated TV series called War Heroes of India is underway and is scouting for broadcasters.
Co-created by ScreenYug chief mentor and FICCI AVGC Forum chairman Ashish SK and Major General GD Bakshi and son Aditya Bakshi, the series will be based on the army duo’s original creation of graphic war novels and comic books on the brave soldiers. The soldiers who will be featured are recipients of the Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra.
Each episode of the 52 episode series is 22 minutes long and will be dedicated to one hero from the IDS and Border Security Forces. While six comic books have been released as of now, more are in the pipeline to compliment the animated series. A total of over 400 real life stories have been researched by the Major and his son.
Speaking on this venture, Major Bakshi said, “The Indian Armed Forces and BSF are some of the most combat tested forces in the world. There are hundreds of stories of great valor and sacrifice that can motivate our children and spread values of duty honour and courage among our youth. An animated series portraying these stories is the best way to instill values in today’s time.”
Ashish believes that a War Heroes series is the need of the hour. “We must create it with full honesty, dedication and patriotic spirit. Aniamtion is the only medium which provides such creative freedom which can do full justice to the war stories and the large canvas our brave heroes deserve,” he said.
Daring acts of valor or self sacrifice, bravery by personnel of the Indian Armed Forces in the presence of the enemy either on land, sea or air will be the ones shown to instill pride for India. The makers are already on the lookout for a general entertainment channel to promote it to a wider audience, though primarily targeted to kids. The series is being created in Hindi and will also be dubbed in regional languages.
Series director Vikram Veturi said, “For generations, kids have grown up in awe of super heroes from fake fantasy worlds. It is time kids and even grownups learn about real heroes of the real world. If there is a medium that can connect with this generation and do justice to the stories for our brave soldiers, it is animation.”
