The very intricately created animated short, Tokri by Studio Eeksaurus, recently got picked by Short of the Week, and the entire team at the studio is on cloud nine. And why won’t they be? Long, dedicated nine years of hard work finally paid off. “I am really happy that the film got picked up by none other than the Short of the Week. Never expected a release like this. It is a great platform to be present and we are proud that this is the first ever Indian animated short film that is featured on the Short of the Week!” mentioned Studio Eeksaurus founder Suresh Eriyat.
Tokri received a warm welcome by animation lovers across the globe. The story is simple and relatable, with a straight and uncomplicated treatment. Father and daughter as characters need no introduction in our Indian context when such relationships are deep rooted and everyone can absolutely relate themselves with the father and the daughter from Tokri. “I think what played an important role in grabbing their eyeballs is the technical finesse and intricacy of the way it is created. With the story being extremely simple, people could actually feel the nuances and pay attention to the details,” added Eriyat.
Another feather in the cap for Tokri is the honour to be picked as Vimeo Staff Pick, which is like a huge award for any filmmaker. The films curated under Staff Pick are considered top notch. The platform is more artist friendly and an inspiration to the creative minds. The way people are overwhelmed with Tokri on Vimeo, is definitely a welcome reaction that Eriyat will cherish forever as one of the great accomplishments by the team!
The story came to Eriyat as a guilt trip while his travel from his home in Bandra to Famous Studios in Mahalaxmi. At one signal in Mahim (which is replicated in the film) a little girl with baskets came knocking at his window. After ignoring her a few times and missing to get a pass with the green light, he took his frustration out on that girl by snarling and shouting at her. She just withdrew in shock. Rest of his drive to Mahalaxmi that lasted for half an hour was disturbing with varied thoughts in his mind about that girl.
With many thoughts and questions in mind, Eriyat decided to make a film that would sensitise people of their own insensitivity when it comes to taking others for granted.
The stop-motion treatment given to the clay models brings the characters to life, making them feel like one amongst us all. The realistic environment or surroundings shown in the film was an outcome of a meticulous process, which included intense study of real spaces by way of sketching and photographing first.
With a project so uncomplicated yet not easy, Tokri definitely showed all that patience is the key to be in the profession of animation. According to Eriyat from the time one gets introduced to animation, to learning the medium and the necessary skills to finally making a film of one’s own is a rare dream that only a few achieve. “And what comes in between those who fulfill this dream and those who do not, is that virtue called ‘patience’ or perseverance. One more word that comes close is ‘passion’!!” he concluded.
This film must have inspired many young filmmakers to take up stop motion animation as a profession and also start working on their own self funded short films in animation.
The film Tokri is now out for the audience to watch and cherish!
