‘Hanuman 2’, sequel to the first Indian animated blockbuster Hanuman has been announced.
Budgeted in the range of Rs 9-12 Crore, with a release scheduled for Diwali 2007, the sequel is to be co produced by Percept Picture Company and Toonz Animation India on a 50:50 financial investment.
Hanuman 2 will be directed by V G Samant the director of the original Hanuman.
Speaking to Animation ‘xpress, Percept Picture Company COO Mahesh Ramanathan said,” Hanuman 2 is another PPC endavor to ensure that Indian animation industry creates waves as creator of original content than just as a service provider to International companies. This is also part of our commitment to make Hanuman a universal animation entertainment property in terms of value and appeal”
“Toonz Animation India is one of the most respected animation studios in India and is known for its high quality output. We share the same vision in terms of original content and look forward to working along with Toonz to achieve our goals” he added.
Toonz Animation India CEO P Jayakumar told Animation ‘xpress,”With this announcement, Toonz Animation India which was one of the earliest movers in the field of original Indian content has continued its thrust on original content and high value co productions.We are extremely thrilled to be working with Percept which is a very strong player in the Indian Movie and Entertainment business. The character of Hanuman is very inspirational and cuts across kids and adults alike. The plan is to make it in CGI but chances are that we shall use a combination of both 2D as well as 3D. The pre production will take six months’ time”
Sharing the marketing and merchandising plans which are being laid early this time, Percept’s Ramanathan stated,”We will also have marketing innovations ready for Hanuman 2 where merchandise will come out much earlier than the film. PPC will also ensure that mechanisms around alternate revenue streams are in place. Hanuman is a friend of the children and the idea is to let children have access to their friend through various means like mobile games, online games, merchandise and so on. We have a distribution alliance with a well known merchandise manafacturer & distributor with whom we are able to reach all across the country”
“We have always believed that there is a huge demand supply gap in what Indian children want and what producers are giving. There is a huge market that needs to be addressed. A third of the country is below 16 years of age and it makes a lot of business sense too to tap this segment. We see Hanuman as a powerful indian story told to Indian children the Indian way. Hanuman was a great film but it is also a movement , look at all the FILMS Awards, we want that the film awards should have separate category for kids movies. Hanuman has done better than Neel N Nikki, EK Ajnabee, Chocalate and other films at the Box Office” he added.
“I think success of Hanuman should inspire Indian animation studios and animators to create original content rather than service international animation studios. Only then will Indian animators get their due place under the Sun” concluded Ramanathan.
With the announcement of Hanuman 2, Toonz Animation India has yet again reinstated its thrust on original Indian content which began many years ago with Tenali Raman. The studio had recently announced its animated TV series co production Geet Mahabharat with Impact Vision. The studio has also begun production on itsr next TV series titled, �The Adventures of Hanuman� (not to be mistaken with Hanuman 2 the movie). This action/adventure series will be a blend of 2D and 3D technology throughout its 13 half hour episodes.
Amongst other projects on its slate include a 52 episode series with Canadian, French and British partners, a full-length feature film project �Tommy and Oscar, The Movie’ for Rainbow Studios, Italy and a television series called �Willo the Wisp’ for Animoon Plc (UK).Besides a 72 episode CGI series for Hallmark Entertainment USA.
Toonz has also recently closed a mega deal with Marvel Studios for doing 104 episodes of Marvel characters(X-Men Franchise) and also another 3 picture DVD deal with Paramount Pictures, USA. All of these latest projects are in 3D arena.