Over the past eighteen months, Indo-Canadian animation incubator Kahani World Inc has been developing and producing shows in partnership with a network of animation creators and production studios. The company has now unveiled its studio model across a range of Indian themed properties which will soon be released in the International market.
Its first releases will be ‘Raju the Autorickshaw‘ 3D animated pre school direct to DVD (49 Minutes) and ‘Coderman‘ 3D animated super hero show for Tweens (66 minutes) which will be available to kids and grown up kids across the world from April 2008.
Speaking to AnimationXpress.com, Kahani World Founder & CEO Biren Ghose shared his vision, “The increasing sophistication within the Asian animation market, demands niche products across different age groups. There is also a gender specific paradigm that is emerging e.g. boys action adventure, etc. Accordingly I see five primary target groups towards which branded content and distribution will be geared. 2008 will be our ‘coming out party‘ where our brands will interact with audiences in both the national and international market places! We believe that these initiatives will herald a new style of ‘Indian animation‘.”
Following Raju…. and Coderman will be ‘The Secrets of the Seven Sounds‘ , a co production with Virgin Comics, which is slated for International and domestic release by the end of 2008. “To my knowledge, this is the first Indian themed 3-D animated feature film planned for a Hollywood release” shared Ghose.
Underlying its market strategy is also a unique cross platform technology strategy whereby Kahani World ensures that its production partners build all of the content assets to a specification that could expand to the big screen & shrink down to a small screen [mobile phone/ Ipod] with an equal clarity and appeal. At the development stage Kahani shared that it is also keeping in mind the licensing potential for toys and other merchandising relevant to the age group for the property.
No studio model can be efficient without a thorough understanding of the pipeline and Kahani indicates that its focus on digital animation [in both the 2D & 3D paradigm] incorporates an acute understanding of the pipeline and how to create the balance therein between technology, creativity and undiluted storytelling!
In the development is a brand new treatment for a “princess show” earlier announced as “Ashati” and a major new set of deals with established Hollywood and European Directors.
“The cornerstone of Kahani‘s strategy has been to work with the best in breed talent in writing & development, top flight direction, category defining voices and talented artists in animation production” concluded Ghose.
The recipe indeed looks good! And the dishes too!
