Welcome to AnimadWorld, today through this article we will explore Top 10 Best Indian Animated Shows made so far.
Alright, before you jump to a conclusion and scream, “The Jungle Book” from the ’90s is the best or perhaps the greatest Indian animated show of all time.
Then, I’ll ask you to please hold your excitement as many of you’ll be shocked to know that it’s not an Indian series but made and produced in Japan.
Now, let’s come back to explore the best Animated shows made and produced in our country. I understand that ranking the best series ever can be an impossible task as it’s hard to go through every show made so far.
Plus, as we know, art is pretty subjective. What you find interesting, the other person might not second that.
So, the closest we can get to have an accurate ranking is by referring to IMDB ratings given to the series by the beloved audiences.
But the problem with solely relying on these ratings is that they cannot be accurate as most shows have very few voters to compare with. So to qualify for that criteria, the show must have at least 70 votes given by the users.
I know it’s not a huge number, so for that reason, I might add my reviews about it as an animator, writer, and, most importantly, an audience.
At the same time, we will consider the quality of animation, storytelling, and popularity quotient, too, as it is a significant factor in kids’ content.
Sure, there are chances that you might disagree with the list and punch your screen or throw away your cell phone.
But, instead of getting annoyed by my reviews, I’ll request you to kindly mention your opinions in the comment section below.
So, let’s pull up our shocks and have a look at the Top 10 Best Indian Animated Shows of all time:
An animated version of a famous Bollywood movie starring Ajay Devgan and directed by Rohit Shetty, Golmaal Jr. was an experiment that paved the way for such content of transforming live-action films into animation.
It was a much-needed change the Indian Animation industry needed as most shows were based on kids with moral values saving the world. In comparison, this show explored the naughty side of children that made it so relatable and fun to watch.
It is also a special show for me as I started my television writing career with this series. And penning down the pilot episode gave me the confidence to pursue this medium.
Telecasted On Nicklodean India in 2012, Motu Patlu has retained its popularity amongst the masses since its debut.
Sure, Pew-die-Pie was shocked to see some of its scenes and criticized its quality and execution. But there is no doubt that Motu-Patlu is a hugely successful show in terms of demand and business in India.
It was released when Indian animation was still trying to make its presence feel amongst the foreign shows.
And there is no doubt that along with Chhota Bheem, Motu-Patlu ki Jodi did play a vital role in pulling the audiences towards home-grown content.
So considering how famous these two characters are and the role this series played in changing the industry, it surely deserves a place in our Top 10 Best Animated Shows of all time or so far.
Alright, I know the IMDb ratings aren’t that impressive, but there is no doubt that Little Singham is perhaps one of the most popular shows made so far.
Another character based on Ajay’ Devgan’s popular movie Singham once again directed by Rohit Shetty, Little Singham, is co-produced by Reliance Animation.
This show was an instant hit amongst the audiences, which can be seen in Discovery Kids TRP ratings after its debut.
And that’s why despite the limited animation and simple storylines, it deserves an honorable spot in our Top 10 Best Indian Animated shows of all time.
Winner of the best 3D animated show award recently, Bhoot Bandhus indeed pushed the boundaries of our imagination and animation content in India.
With a catchy title track written by great Gulzar, this show became an instant hit amongst kids due to its refreshing style, detailed storytelling, and fun animation.
Comparatively, the show’s quality is way better than many 3d animated shows available until now.
Hence, it deserves to be on our list of top 10 best India animated shows so far.
Well, the high IMDb rating of this show is excellent evidence of Bandbudh and Budbak’s success amongst the audiences.
When period shows like Chhota Bhee, Krishna, Arjun, etc., were ruling the Tv screens with their high spirits, brave acts, and moral messages.
These two naughty kids were taking punishments, bunking classes, eating tiffins during lectures. A concept that most of us can relate to.
Maybe being ahead of time didn’t work in their favor, and it was taken off air just after two seasons. But it indeed left a mark within our memories with its unique design, look and feel, and relatability.
I’m sure everyone remembers this semi-human rendition of Krishna with a new twist in the old tale of popular mythology.
Debuted on Cartoon Network during the channel’s good old times, this show had everything to succeed during that period. High-quality animation, engaging storytelling, catchy title, and relatability factor as the show was based on a school premise.
Plus, as it targeted an audience already aware of Krishna and Kans’ back story, the show made the most out of the classic rivalry.
It showed the audiences that we can take the existing characters from mythology and make something different.
This creative idea was very novel for kids at that time and opened the doors of our imagination.
04/10- Disney’s Bhaagam Bhaag (2019)
IMDB Ratings: Not available.
Animation Quality: 7/10
Story Telling: 6.5/10
Popularity: 4/10
Average score: 5.8
Pic Courtesy: Cosmos Maya and Toonz Media Group
Please don’t get confused and think of it as another show based on a Bollywood franchise. Disney’s Bhaagam Bhaag is an entirely independent series produced by Cosmos Maya Animation Studio and is telecasted on the Disney channel.
I know, what you are thinking, but there are no ratings available to it, so how can I judge the show?
Well, that’s because I worked on it as a Writer for a few episodes. And based on my experiences, I can surely tell you that Bhaagam Bhaag was quality content with top-notch animation, funny gags, and multi-layered storytelling.
Sadly, it didn’t manage to garner the popularity it deserved, but it is undoubtedly a top-five material in a true sense in our list of top 10 best indian animated shows.
Shocked! Right? Well, if there has to be a list of the most popular shows, then Chhota Bheem will undoubtedly win the race by a significant margin. It is indeed one of the if not the most famous animated series ever produced in India.
And more than that, it played a massive role in transforming the Indian animated industry and opened the door for many shows.
But despite its outstanding achievements, the reason it’s in the number three spot is due to its low IMDb ratings, unimproved animation style, and repetitive storytelling format.
But hey! It’s still a podium finish in our top 10 best Indian animated shows ! And this show deserves every bit of success.
And personally, I really enjoyed working on Chhota Bheem’s many episodes as a writer, and we did experiment few new things.
The Green Gold production team working on it is excellent, and hopefully, they will be able to bring the change we all want to see.
02/10 Titoo (2020)
IMDb ratings: N/A
Animation Quality: 6/10
Story Telling: 7/10
Popularity: 6/10
Average score: 6.3
Pic Courtesy: Comos Maya
There is something about Titoo that makes it such an incredible show to watch. I remember seeing it for the first time and instantly thought it would be a hit show.
It kinda reminded me of Shinchan at first, considering the main character’s mischievous nature, back-answering, and knack of getting into trouble. But it is a more trimmed-down version that can suit the Indian audiences and censorship.
Overall, the animation quality is more than decent, the writing is fun, and overall execution makes it worthy of the number two spot in our list of top 10 best Indian animated shows so far.
01/10 The Adventures of Tenali Raman (2003) & Mighty Little Bheem (2019)
Yes, there is a tie for number one spot in our top 10 best Indian animates shows list, and it’s so hard to choose one between these two shows. The best part about them is considering the period between these series; it somehow shows the journey of commercial Indian animation.
Tenali Raman is when it all started in early 2000, and Mighty Little Bheem rose to fame just a couple of years ago. Let’s talk about them one by one.
This show is exceptional in all sense. It showcased the potential of Indian animation to us and paved the way for an industry trying to find its place.
In the hundred years long history of animation in India, we finally had something we could call our own.
I remember watching it for the first time on cartoon networks in my teens and was instantly captivated by the animation, storytelling, and execution. I was so impressed by it that a little voice in my teenage heart wanted to meet the people working behind it.
And I was just in school, not knowing that I’d be pursuing animation as a career in the coming years.
And luckily, after a few years, I got my first writing project with the same company responsible for making such a masterpiece. That company is Toonz Media group, and they are one of the pioneers of commercial animation in India.
Unfortunately, due to high production costs and limited demand for Indian content during that time, this series didn’t run for long and was taken off air after just one season.
But if you ask me personally, this is indeed one of the best shows our country has produced so far, and it has a level of content we can be genuinely proud of.
I hope all our animation programs would have followed their footsteps and kept the quality as high as The adventures of Tenali Raman.
But sadly, Indian animation was not able to match the standards due to many restrictions and limitations we will discuss in our “The Faults in our Art!” blog series.
Well, what was started with Tenali Raman was finally matched by Mighty Little Bheem. This show is perfect in all senses, and it’s something that demonstrates the potential of artists and creators in this country.
Impeccable animation, funny gags, engaging storytelling, cute characters are a few reasons this series became an instant international hit.
But the real secret of its success lies in the same principles applied in the movie Hanuman released in 2005.
If there is any show that fully utilizes these principles to the best of its abilities, then it’s “Mighty Little Bheem.” And hence, along with Tenali Raman, it rightfully deserves the number one spot in our list of top ten best Indian animated shows so far.
But the vital question is, what are these principles I’m giving so much credit to?
So here we go, these are the best-animated shows our country has produced so far. I tried my best to rate them, but please share your thoughts in the comment section below if you don’t agree with anything.
Now, let us continue to peek behind the curtain of the animation process and proceed with the seventh and one of the most vital principles that make the animation look so realistic, and that is “THE ARC.”
7-Yes, one thing we will see around us is that most natural moments tend to follow an arched trajectory, and that is also true for animation as it adheres to the laws of physics.
This can be seen in our day to days lives by just observing our limb movements, or by merely following the visual path of a bouncing ball.
An object in motion that moves out of its natural arc for no apparent reason will come across as mechanical, stiff, and erratic rather than smooth, which can work for robotic characters.
But, for the rest, it is essential to respect the principle of arc added with ease in and ease out with a little bit of squash and stretch to make the action look authentic and fluid.
And to add more life in your characters, our eight principle plays a crucial role in it, and that is a secondary action.
8-The job of secondary action is to support the main action, and it helps to add more dimension and personality to your character.
Hanuman’s tail is an excellent example of characterization through this principle as we can see that it can move freely from the rest of his body, and it gives a little insight into his feelings and emotions, which can also be examined through our next principle, and that is “Timing.”
9-Alright, like the art of magic, Timing plays the most crucial part in creating the best illusion that can awe the audiences.
In general, Timing refers to the number of drawings or frames for a given action, which translates to the speed of the action within the scene that gives meaning to the movement.
It is divided into two parts; the first is the physical timing, which is determined by the weight and the mass of an object and gives you the idea of the material of the object.
For example, if you throw a paper ball and a rubber ball, both things will travel at a different speed and reach their destination at a very different time frame.
The next is the theatrical timing, which is behavioral and determined by the performance of a character or object. This can be observed through the way a character moves, which brings out its unique personality that can be pushed further with the help of our tenth principle, that is, Exaggeration.
10-When we hear the word “Exaggeration,” we think of something that has been pushed or amplified to a greater extent. And the principle of exaggeration is exactly what the word stands for, and it is used to increase the amount of impact on the viewer.
Because in animation, the closer you are to a realistic movement or expression, the duller it looks, so in animation, we take a different approach and raise the intensity of broader actions, enhancing the emotions and making the expression look as large as possible for better clarity and entertainment.
You can see the difference between an exaggerated one as compared to a realistic one in the image below to understand what a huge difference this principle can make in the entertainment quotient of animation.
While you can take the creative freedom to push the boundaries of an action or expression, but you still have to respect the limits of our anatomy and stay accurate that can be achieved by our eleventh principle, Solid drawing.
11-The principle of solid drawing means taking into account forms in three-dimensional space or giving them volume and weight as it will give your character a sense of tangibility.
In other words, it is about making sure that your character has a clearly defined body structure consistently without losing its sense of weight, balance, anatomy, shadow, light, etc.
The structure need not have to be completely realistic, but it has to be believable. And it is this believability that is absolutely important to achieve our last principle, the Appeal, the culmination of everything we learned so far.
12- THE ART OF APPEAL
So when you saw the movie Hanuman what was the first thing that instantly pleased you. And I am sure most of the people will say that the Character design of the baby Hanunam was cute beyond measures.
Yes, and that is where the principle of Appeal comes into the picture. It is a technique animators use to make their design stand out.
Although it is very subjective in nature, but one thing is sure that animated characters should be pleasing to look at,and just like live-action actors, they need to have some charisma into them.
And oh boy, the baby Hanuma’s character is a perfect example of it as the audiences we quickly captivated by its attractive design and animation backed by good storytelling and direction.
Hanuman’s entertaining movements and unique style were perfectly complementary to its physical traits like chubby cheeks, big innocent eyes, anatomically accurate body structure. And if you can pull that off all together, then you have a design that is appealing in every sense.
And it’s because of Hanuman’s watchability and attractiveness this movie left a significant impact not only on the animation industry but if you notice, since its release, even live-action series and films depict Hanuman’s character inspired by VG Samant’s version.
You will see the traces of it everywhere, in children’s fancy dress parties, other animated shows, festivals, comic strips, etc.
Such was the influence of Hanuman that left a massive legacy behind it that we are still struggling to replicate in terms of the blockbuster success, quality, and, most importantly, its Appeal.
“Live-action performers have charisma, an animated character has appeal.”
― FRANK AND OLLIE, THE ILLUSION OF LIFE
If I’ll ask you to go down memory lane and choose one Indian animated movie that you absolutely loved watching and adored as a viewer.
Then most probably, the one film that will instantly appear in your mind is none other than “Hanuman” released in the year 2005, directed by V. G. Samant and produced by Percept Picture Company and Silvertoons.
Hanuman, by far, is said to be the best full-length animated feature film in India, and no other movie managed to attain the popularity and success as it did.
As soon as the movie hit the silver screen, we were immediately swept away by the flawless direction, exquisite animation, and iconic characters.
And on top of that, the end credit song MahabaliMaharudra sung by Sonu Nigam and Kailash Kheradds a sense of inspirational touch to the film that helped it to establish its sound identity, making it a complete family entertainment.
We have all the reasons to love this movie as it possesses all the elements of a blockbuster. But what makes it so unique, and why no other film is still able to re-create the same supernatural experience and power we felt with Hanuman despite the age-old storyline we grew up hearing or watching.
And the answer to that question is “THE PRINCIPLE OF APPEAL.”
Animation works on some essential tools and mechanisms known as “The Twelve principles of animation” that were first led down and published in the animation Bible “The illusion of Life.” Written by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, two of the key animators out of nine old men at Disney during the Golden Age of animation.
The animation principles they presented in the book have a universal framework that can fit in the mold of any design and process and has been used since then in the art of animation.
Before we try to comprehend how the principle of appeal contributed so immensely to the success of Hanuman, let us first have a brief look at all other animation principles to have a better understanding of the working process of this craft for everyone interested in exploring the groundwork needed in this discipline.
1-Lets us start with the most versatile and fundamental techniques called Squash and stretch.
The purpose of squash and stretch is to provide a sense of weight and flexibility to drawn objects like something as simple as a bouncing ball or more complex constructions, like the musculature of a human face.
In simple words, this effect gives animation an elastic life-like quality to imitate the real-life quality of a distorted object when it is acted upon by an outside force, but with a hint of an exaggeration to give it a comical effect.
2-Next comes to the animation principle of “Anticipation” which helps audiences to prepare for what’s about to happen.
For example, imagine you’re about to swing a cricket bat. What’s the first thing you do? Do you pull your hands back to wind up? Twist your shoulders in the opposite direction? That’s anticipation!.
As the action in animation can be very fast that can be missed and can get unnoticed. Anticipation draws the viewer’s attention and enables them to clearly see the character’s action and understand what the character is planning to do so that each movement does not come as a sudden surprise.
3-And every action the character undertakes should be carefully matched within the scene with the support of the next principle, that is, “Staging.”
Now, staging isn’t just limited to animation; it’s a core part of any artwork and filmmaking. Its purpose is to direct the audience’s attention and make it clear what is the most important thing in a scene that effectively advances the story.
In simple terms, it’s the combination of the position of the camera angles, colors, contrast, characters, and the props we need to show within the scene and blurring out what’s not important.
4-Once the stage is set, we move forward to the next animation principle, called “Straight Ahead Action and Pose-to-Pose.”
Now, this principle is related to actual work that goes into animation and deals with the technical aspect of it, but it’s relatively simple to explain. There are two ways to animate anything; the first is the Straight ahead method.
In this approach, animators draw each frame of an action one after another from start to finish. Whereas in the pose to pose way, animators draw the extreme poses, that is, the beginning and end drawings of action, then they go on to the middle frame and start to fill in the frames in-between.
5-And once the key actions are choreographed, follow-up movements are added with the help of the fifth principle, called “Follow through and overlapping action.”
This is the part where the laws of physics are obeyed, which help to render movement more realistically. The basic idea behind this is that when an object or a character stops after being in motion.
The loosely attached part of the body, like long hair, clothes, and hanging accessories, will continue to move beyond the stopping point of the main object or character and take a longer time to settle down and come into a state of rest.
6-The follow-through and overlapping action really help to make the motion look organic, which is assisted by the sixth animation principle called “Ease in and ease out.”
Ease in is a slow acceleration into motion, and ease out is a slow deceleration of that motion. The simple way to understand this principle is by imagining how a car works. It will start moving slowly, before gaining momentum and speeding up.
The opposite will happen when the vehicle comes to a stop. In animation, this moment is achieved through the proper spacing of the frames that is the distance between each frame.
For example, if you look at the picture below, you will see that more lines that represent the keyframes are drawn near the beginning and end of action, and very few in between them.
This effect helps to achieve more real-life-like motion, which, if blended with our next principle, works very well that we will have a look at in our next chapter.
Yes, the animation principles laid down here are just halfway road leading to the destination we need to arrive at. But there are a lot more subtleties and world-building we need to explore to achieve the experience the creators of Hanuman undertook to make it so memorable.
So I will encourage you to read this chapter once again until you grasp it to the fullest before turning the page to the next chapter that will reveal the following six animation principles without which animated movies wouldn’t be what we see today.
So finally, after years of constant demand and protest on social media by DC fans around the globe, “The Snyder Cut Justice League” is out. And fortunately, this version has managed to undo the damage caused by the theatrical release in 2017. A film that caused more grief to our heroes than all the villains combined in the history of the DC universe. But now, the Synder Cut has lifted the burden from the shoulders of our esteemed protagonists and cleared the stain caused on their characters.
But in this article, we are not going to compare the two films as the reviews are out, and everyone can clearly see the impact it has been creating since it went online. Audiences and critics alike are showering praises on this new 2021 release, and everyone seems to feel a sense of relief as all the hard work has been finally paid off. So instead, we will emphasize an essential aspect of any art form that needs to be cherished by those around the creator, and that is “The Vision of An Artist.”
So much has been written and said about Zack Synder’s fallout with Warner Bros and how he was constantly interrupted by the management to alter things according to their terms and conditions. And I am not even stating on Joss Whedon’s arrival but things that were happening way before Zack decided to walk away. Initially, everyone was on the impression that Snyder left the project due to the unfortunate demise of his lovely daughter. But recently, he admitted in interviews that he was at loggerhead with producers almost from day one. But my question is, WHY?
Yes! Why do people who are supposed to oversee the finance, amenities,
standards, practices, etc., exhibit the need to interfere between the artist and his vision? Sure I agree that they have the best intention to make the product marketable and keep it out of any trouble. But why would someone who has no creative background feel the need to pierce their creative perspective into a vision of someone who has already proved their abilities to heighten the audiences’ experience through their take on things?
But this isn’t the first time such a thing has happened and probably won’t be last as most artists deal with it all the time since the dawn of professional artistry. We have been programmed to believe that customer is king or client is always right, because of which most artists have no choice but to compromise on their artistic values and alter their approach towards the work. I understand that many won’t have any issues with it as in the end, our motto is to make the clients delighted.
But my question is, shall the same principles need to be applied to an artwork meant to be made by larger audiences than a specific client?. Because in this case, the end client is the audience and not executives sitting across the board. Sure, an artist isn’t going to deliver a masterpiece every time they paint the canvas. But at least they have the in-depth knowledge of shades of their work and knows how to get the best out of it, especially if they have a proven track record.
Executive and Producer’s inputs are vital and need to consider respectfully as a lot is at stake with such a big-budget project. But at the same time, they need to respect the artist’s vision as well and give them the creative freedom required to make a better commodity. Imagine if the artist starts taking a call on the finances and what if it justifies the need to show blood in a kids movie. I am sure he will be immediately shown the way out cause of obvious reasons.
Just like that, non-creatives shall not be liable to decide which scenes are suitable in the context of the story and which ones shall be axed as long as it follows the norms of standards and practices. Like it happened with Batman and Joker’s Knightmare scene as the studio wasn’t pleased with its inclusion. On the other hand, Snyder precisely knew why he needs that iconic moment in the narrative of this epic mythology. And guess what, it turned out to be the most talked-about aspect of the whole Justice League Saga.
And this is just one instance; there are many such incidents where the artists were not given the creative liberty to pursue their vision, which eventually blinded the whole project. A couple of such examples are Edger Wright’s departure from Ant-Man and Patty Jenkins, quitting the much-maligned Marvel sequel Thor: The Dark World, all due to the classic “Creative differences” melodrama. Sure, some decisions work in favor of the studio, but in-case an artist goes away in the middle of the project, it gets way complicated for the other person to fill the shoe as it happened with Justice League.
The authorities need to understand that art can’t be commerce-driven but needs to be molded with feelings and emotions. That’s what separates it from the business. That’s what makes these fictional characters so relatable despite their superhuman persona. That’s what the superhero genre has become so vast and integral part of our pop culture because few artists created them with all the love and affection, away from the greed and need to make it market-friendly.
And it is always going to stay that way when it comes to art and the artist’s passion for their craft. No money, no strategy, no market can replicate that, and it’s high time to realize this essential truth of creative endeavors, which is once again proven by Zack Snyder.
“The Synder Cut is just not a directorial take on a film, but it’s a huge statement made by an artist struggling to get things done by his vision. It’s a revolutionary moment in the history of any art form that demands to break the shackles tied around artists’ wrists. It’s vivid evidence of what could happen if the original creator has been given the freedom to follow his or her heart, all for the sake of making an inspiring art. Think About It!”
Do you agree with this article, do share your perspective in the comment section below. Also, do read my take on similar struggles faced by Indian artists in the section “THE FAULTS IN OUR ARTS!
“Pogo was exploring to shut down the channel, and I too had had a long journey with failures by then. A lot was riding on Chhota Bheem.”
― RAJIV CHILAKA, CREATOR OF CHHOTA BHEEM
For the USA, it all started with a dream and a mouse back in 1928. Since then, the animation industry’s journey over there has been no lesser than a fairy tale story.
Whereas in India, it all started with a dream and a couple of deer in 1957 when “The Banyan Deer” captured the attention of our audiences. But soon, the dreams of the illusion of life faded away like an illusion itself, and the Indian animation industry never came into the picture despite the massive success of international shows in the coming years.
Until Chhota-Bheem debuted almost a decade ago in the midst of an era where international heroes like Spiderman, Batman, Supermen once again started to regain their powers and control over the audiences.
Both DC and Marvel are filled with thousands of heroes, each with their own story, characteristics, and decades of evolutionary enhancement. And despite the vast popularity and better technicality of international superheroes, our local boy managed to pave its way and become a fan favorite amongst kids. So what it’s about Chhota-Bheem specifically that resonated with kids so well and makes it so big?
Created by Rajiv Chilaka, Chhota Bheem debuted on Pogo in 2008, a channel struggling to survive at that time. Despite facing constant rejection for years, the network decided to take a chance with it, and they gave it a green signal, or should I say, “Green Gold” signal. And it’s Chhota Bheem’s practicality, simplicity, and psychological connectivity that helped him to resonate with our children so well. And it became the brand that it is today.
It’s a show that redefined the conventional superhero genre by understanding the kid’s state of mind and impatience for origin stories. As it can be boring to watch sometimes, even as an adult. Kids want to see things and people in action, and that’s what Chhota Bheem provided right from the go.
Every kid secretly dreams of being a superhero, and Chhota Bheem was a character that provided that hope without being preachy. It’s a character who likes to hang-out with friends, eat sweets, and fight bullies, things that most of the kids long to do. And yes, he doesn’t have to bear the burden of education either, which can be controversial to term as a positive trait, but it’s a dream come true for many kids.
The idea that you don’t need technology, money, fancy clothes, genetically gifted parents, or be a victim of some scientific experiment to have the superpower empowers the kids to utilize what they already possess and stay grounded to their roots.
And the most crucial factor is that Chhota Bheem deals with his own problems despite being small. And unlike other superheroes who are dealing with the complexity of their dual identity, Chhota Bheem takes a straightforward approach to be himself all the time. Which makes it easier for kids to empathize with him without keeping track of multiple issues that other heroes go through.
Another vital element Chhota Bheem has is that he is a guy with good intentions. He does not have any selfish motto behind his undertakings. He is a guy who will help and fight any evil for society without expecting anything in return. He is an epitome of a friend we all need and wish for. Someone who is always there for us, someone on whom we can depend, someone who can help us to sail through the obstacles life throws at us.
But as they say, “With great powers comes great responsibilities.” Even though Chhota Bheem managed to stay in our hearts and transformed into Super Bheem. Somewhere down the line, the good-spirited boy needs to grow up as a character if he wants to continue to endure amongst the lights of other great Superheroes.
A year ago, I got the opportunity to work on the new season of Chhota Bheem. And on the honest note, because of Bheem’s iconic image, he is trapped under so many moral codes of conduct that, as a writer, it takes the fun element out of it.
Just like Superman, Chhota Bheem is the epitome of perfection and is truly invincible. But Superman at least has a Kryptonite to fear. With Chhota Bheem, he has no such weaknesses to explore; no internal flaws or external forces could defeat him. And that is one reason adults have difficulty relating to it. Because for many, character’s shortcomings make them human and exciting to watch.
And these qualities of perfectionism aren’t just limited to the main protagonist of the show. If you observe carefully, even his friends are incorruptible, loyal, well-behaved. And one thing I really found strange to deal with is that they don’t have their own opinions, never oppose Bheem’s views and blindly follow his orders. All these things really make them come across as flat in terms of personality traits, and it is hard to distinguish their unique qualities.
But as a writer, I love to take challenges and, so in many episodes, we managed to find a way to make Bheem and his team look helpless and made them go through situations that we as humans can resonate with.
For example, in one of the episodes, I took away Bheem’s luck factor that made him a victim of series of unfortunate events. Right from something as trivial as tripping on a banana peel to something as bizarre as getting swallowed by a giant anaconda to something as painful as getting struck by lightning (twice).
All these scenarios give the episode a refreshing touch. And it will be surprising for loyal fans to see Bheem struggling with daily activities. It was an excellent opportunity for me to execute what I always felt the show needs to incorporate to take it further. And despite my initial doubts, fortunately, the Green Gold and Turner team gave their approval to it, and I am very thankful for it.
Another major challenge with Bheem and the team is that they are ten-year-old adults. Yes, I hardly see them making the mistakes that children of their age will commit. They rarely ever make fun of each other and deals with any obstacles like a fully grown adult. I understand that all these factors are actually the USP of Chhota Bheem and made it a success today.
But the same reasons make it hard for the writers and animators to work a gag around the main characters and are restricted to show them in a good light all the time. I understand that Chhota Bheem is a huge brand, and the creators are playing it safe with it. But they need to stop taking it so seriously, and they need to have fun with it.
Let the Characters sometimes act according to the situation rather than what the guidelines expect them to act. Let them alter their approach towards the problems, let each one of them have their own opinions, let them work around their differences. And, most importantly, let them be kids, which will make them unpredictable and exciting to watch, even for adults.
It’s been more than a decade since Chhota Bheem aired on TV, and we didn’t see any development in his or his friend’s core values, conducts, and psychology. What we really need to understand is that the reason why heroes like Batman, Superman, Spiderman continue to entertain, educate, and inspire us is that they evolved with time.
Just like us, these characters learned from their mistakes, worked on their flaws, and dealt with issues that we, as growing adults, can relate to. They continue to make us aware of the fact that life isn’t as easy as we think. And sometimes, we need to make a decision that might not satisfy everyone. Sometimes we need to make selfish choices. Sometimes we need to hide behind a mask for the wellness of our loved ones, and sometimes even superheroes need help.
I understand that Chhota-Bheem is for specific target audiences, and it’s perfect in its own sense. But it will be great to see our little one growing up, just like we all do in life.
What are your thoughts on the show, do share your valuable opinions in the comment section below?
This was the fourth chapter of the series “The Faults In Our Art!” do check out others by clicking on the given link.
And I request you to please subscribe to my blog by filling the form below? 🙂
For anyone who grew up in the 90s, cartoons were a way of living, or should I say they were, in fact, our whole life. Unlike today, where kids are glued on multiple platforms for their amusement, back then, animated shows were a significant source of entertainment that brought a glimpse of complexity in our mundane world.
Yes, on the surface, most of these characters came across as goofy with eccentric behavior stuck in an abnormal situation. But deep down, they were layered with wisdom, knowledge, and philosophical aspects of day-to-day life. All we need to do was to look beyond their exaggerated actions and focus on how they use these actions to deal with their existing problems.
And it won’t take you much time to discover the true essence of their existence, which revealed that just like us, they were struggling too. But unlike us, they were good at dealing with these problems.
So here are ten essential lessons our animated mates taught me and many who grew up in the nineties.
1) It’s Okay To Get Rejected:
Even a character as eccentric asJohny Bravo taught us that harsh flirting is never a way to win a woman’s affection, and overconfidence isn’t going to take you long in life.
But more importantly, no matter what, constant rejection shouldn’t deter you from loving yourself.
2) Courage Matters:
Sure, it was evident by looking at those superheroes who selflessly sacrificed themselves for the greater good. But Courage, the cowardly dog, taught us that it’s okay to be scared. However, you have to face it head-on.
Life’s spookiness will haunt you, but if you stick around for longer than usual, then you can win over things beyond your control. All we need to do is, show a little courage, take that daunting step, and see ourselves becoming the hero we want to be.
3) Be Yourself:
Alladin taught us to be ourselves. Being someone else will not help you in the long run.
Once you discover your true self, even your wildest dream can turn into reality.
4) Happiness Is Choice:
The Flintstones is an excellent example of how life can be fun without technology.
Despite the lack of comfortable amenities, they were happy beyond the measures and used their creative mind to turn obstacles into opportunities.
5) Dream a Little Dream:
Dexter’s laboratory explored the concept of having a worthwhile goal in life and working towards it. Sure the cheerful banter between the siblings was its most relatable part.
But deep down, Dexter’s ambition and passion for science surely inspired many kids to wear those gloves and change the world, even if a little.
6) It’s Okay To Make Mistakes:
One of the most beloved characters, “Scooby-Doo,” taught us to never be afraid of screwing up. Because making mistakes proves that you are trying something and you never know, those mistakes can help you solve the biggest mystery surrounding us.
7) Eating Vegetable Matters:
Let’s face it, as kids, most of us hated eating those green food items, but Popeye managed to change our perception, at least towards spinach. It wasn’t the tastiest vegetable amongst the lot, but we indeed ate it in the hope of gaining some big biceps and beating our bullies.
Sure, this vegetable does have a beneficial impact if consumed on a regular basis. But later, we realize that Spinach was just a metaphorical way to show that, no matter how much life seems complicated. We can turn it around in seconds by sere willpower.
8) Planet Matters:
Sure, our schools tried their best to make us understand the impact of environmental issues on our lives. But Captain Planet motivated us to take concrete actions for protecting our mother earth through small steps like recycling and reusing.
This was the show that created that spark in our innocent hearts to care about our environment and showed us, by doing so, how anyone can become a hero.
9) Equality Matters:
Before Powerpuff girls debuted, we were not used to seeing a show led by female protagonists as we never envisioned them kicking asses and breaking jaws.
But this series changed our perception and showed us that girls are as powerful as boys, and it’s wrong to judge anyone based on gender. This show was a great advocate of equality and broke all the traditional barriers of animation storytelling. Apart from these badass heroines, this show also featured a villain, a transgender character, the first of its kind to be featured in a kid’s show, to the best of my knowledge.
10) Fear Matters:
I can go on and on about the valuable lessons that have been bestowed on us through these shows and still fall short. But if I have to choose one character that impacted my life and a whole generation more than anybody else, then it has to be “THE BATMAN.”
I remember myself as a child, running around wearing a mask made from paper, draped in a cape made of a towel. Back then, I was too small to understand the dark knight’s philosophical and psychological side until I started gaining some maturity to look deeply into his personality.
No other character has profoundly influenced a generation and their identity like Batman. Because it deals with one of the most critical aspects of human emotions, “FEAR.” It taught us that everyone has fears, but conquering them is what matters. It taught us that fear is a necessity; it helps us grow. It taught us that it takes courage to accept your fear.
Another essential aspect of human nature the dark knight deals with is “loss.” The older we get, the more things we lose; that’s life. But losing your near and dear ones at an early age can be daunting for anyone. Even though the incident of his parents being assassinated right in front of his eyes destroyed him from within. He didn’t choose to use it as an excuse to blame everyone and everything around him.
Instead, he made a conscious choice of taking the matter into his own hands and help those in need by wearing the mask and saving the needful from unholy acts. That’s how he taught us how the choices we make in our life can seal our fate and determine our destiny.
On a personal level, I can’t say that Batman has changed me because it’s continuously changing me even today in some other ways. It’s still teaching me the essential lessons life has to offer, it’s still helping me grow, and I am always surprised every time I reflect on the bright side of the Dark Knight.
I will leave you with one of his quotes which will showcase his ability to inspire and motivate you:
“All men have limits. They learn what they are and learn not to exceed them. I ignore mine.”
-THE BATMAN.
Which is your favorite show and character that made your childhood special? Do share your experience in the comments section below. And to know more about me, please check the About Me section! 🙂
Welcome to The Animad World, your one-stop destination for Indian Animation. Myself Nitin Navale and I work as Creative -Head for your beloved educational series “Dr. Binocs Show.” Yes, it’s my job to ensure that the workflow is smooth and our lovely audiences get the weekly dose of their favorite show.
Every day we receive so many emails from you all, thanking us for bringing this show and how it has helped you all in your studies. But another commonality we have witnessed in your emails is that you want to know “HOW WE CREATE IT?”
So I thought, let me take you into this fantastic world of Dr.Binocs and reveal to you the mechanism behind it. Hopefully, it will inspire many of you to become an animator or content creators.
But, before we move forward, let me inform you that this is just a basic summary. In the upcoming articles, I’ll give you the detailed groundwork behind it. If possible, I will also introduce the artists working behind it.
Yes, so do make sure to subscribe by filling the form below, if you don’t want to miss the creative process of your beloved show and learn about the Art of Animation.
Now, let’s ZOOM IN! and look at the first step, and that is:
1) IDEA:
Yes, the first important step in making a Dr.Binocs episode is to develop an idea for the topic. And the inspiration could come from anywhere, by observing things around us, knowing what’s trending, and taking your suggestions through emails.
For example, during such a brainstorming session, one of our co-workers farted. Sure, we laughed our guts out, but it did inspire us to make a video on “Why do we Fart?” You can check the same by clicking on the link.
So basically, the trick is to observe keenly, learn from others, read a lot, and who knows, you might end up creating the next viral video. And once we decide on the topic, we move to the next crucial step.
2) THE RESEARCH:
In this process, we go ahead and do tons of research on the selected topic to write the episode’s script. Research is a critical aspect of the whole process because we have to ensure that the information is correct and according to academic standards.
And once it’s done, we move to our next stage of laying this accumulated information on paper or Ms. Word to write the script.
3) THE SCRIPT AND VISUALIZATION:
As they say, ideas are worthless unless you execute them. And here starts the execution process of the production. A typical Dr.binocs script looks way different than the standard industry format.
The image below is an example of how our scripts look.
We divide it into two sections: In the first section, we write the narration and explain the subject. And in the other section, we write the visuals and action needed for that particular line or sequence.
This is where your imagination skills come in handy. You need to take an ordinary line and convert it into an appealing scene that is easy to understand and entertaining to watch. This is where all the fun elements are planned and added to the script, right from your starting intro to your “Nevermind” gags.
And most importantly, it also serves as guidelines for our next step.
4) THE STORYBOARDING:
And what is it? It is a sequence of sketches that map out the scenes planned for the video. In simple words, it is a blueprint for animators to understand how the Animation will come across and the path they need to follow. Whatever plan was laid on the script, the Story boarding artist goes ahead and makes a step-by-step layout of the visuals.
For example, if the script says that Dr. Binocs and Kitty are flying in the shuttle towards the moon. The SB artist will make few frames of this scene that look like this.
Just like that, we create the key drawings of the entire episode while, on the other hand, the artists start to work on the other elements needed for the episode.
5) CHARACTER AND BACKGROUND DESIGN:
In this process, our gifted designers illustrate the puppets, props, and environments needed for the particular episode. Even for this, the artist needs to have excellent visual skills to execute the designs.
We have to make sure that the characters are appealing and aligned with the theme of the show. By theme, what we mean is the style and look and feel of the show. If you go and see some of the random episodes of Dr. Binocs show. You will notice that in every season, the secondary characters look different.
And while they are busy creating those assets, we, on the other hand, are busy recording the vital step, that is…
6)THE VOICE OVER:
Yes, the soul of Dr.Binocs is in his voice. Here, the Voice Over artist comes to our studio and reads the script. Which is recorded by our sound engineer, who later trims it down and polishes it in editing software.
And once the V.O and asset designs are ready, we send them to the most crucial step, i.e.,
7) THE ANIMATION:
Yes, here, our skilled team of animators put life on those inanimate puppets in software called Adobe Flash, now knows as Animate.
And how do they do it? Well, I’ll try to cover it in detail in the upcoming articles. The animation is a time-consuming process that takes lots of effort, and patience is one crucial factor all artists need to have. So make sure to subscribe by filling the form below.
Once we are done with the Animation, we send those files to our editors for the following process.
8) THE COMPILATION
In this step, our Editor put all those scenes together and add text to them to send it forward in the pipeline for adding music.
9) THE MUSIC:
Here, our sound engineers and composers add those background music and effect and remove any unwanted noises in the video before sending us back for…
10) THE FINAL EDITING:
In this final step, our VFX artists and Editors give the final touch to the video. So that it is ready to be uploaded on YouTube to be seen by millions of Dr.Binocs cutsie wootise family members like you, who adore the show so much, which motivates us to keep making the videos.
So here we go, my friends, that’s how we make the Dr.binocs show, wait, are we missing something, oh yes.
TRIVIA TIME!
“Did you know, the voice behind Dr.Binocs also gives voice to Mr.Bean’s Indian version?”
So, hope you enjoyed reading the blog, guys, and remember a lot of great new information on your favorite shows and Indian Animation is coming soon.
And this blog is for animation fans just like you, so make sure to subscribe by filling the form below, write your opinion in the comment section below, and share it with as many people as you can.
Until next time, it’s me, Nitin Navale, Zooming Out,
The Funny Side of Indian Animation Industry: Advice for budding artists for getting into Indian animation.
Finding jobs in the Indian animation industry can be challenging. And if you are an aspiring, young Indian animator, life isn’t fun for you at all. Just a few years ago, you had a dream of a glamorous, fascinating, playful career in your heart. You nurtured it, you believed it, and most of you had also achieved it by getting a job in a studio or company.
Bingo! You had your dream come true, experiencing the best day of your life. Finally, you have proved to the world, especially your parents, that you can face the world on your own without knowing that flames of delight will diminish quickly. And if you haven’t experienced it yet in your life, then ask your dream to wait for some time.
How much? Well, it could be a day, a month or years, who knows? It’s a funny business, after all. Anybody who works in the indian animation industry like I do or will tell you to reconsider your career prospects if you still have time in your life.
But I know it isn’t that easy when you have so much passion for this field. You have always envisioned yourself as an animator or an artist. And more than anything else, you have to recover those green bucks invested in self-proclaimed 100% job guarantee institutes and animation programs.
So what to do now? Well, in my opinion, and many experience talented animators that I work with, we have quite a few options with us to deal with it:-
•1) Change the field: –
If you are not passionate enough about animation, this isn’t a thing for you in the first place anyhow. So the wisest thing to do for you probably will be to pack your bags and move on.
Find your true passion and work on it. You have nothing to lose here except those green bucks, but once you find your true love, money won’t matter at all, and you will earn it back in no time without much effort.
•2) Keep patients: –
If there isn’t anything much you can do about it, then the best thing is to hang on and wait for the tide to turn. Especially when you don’t have added responsibilities on your shoulders.
Spend your time learning more about this art and try to improve each and every day. If possible, spend few more bucks on those reputed animation programs available online.
Many of them can give you valuable insight into this market. It also helps you increase your network on the international circuit. So keep patience and play the waiting game and remember, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
•3) Be the change: –
As the famous quote from Mahatma Gandhi goes and I quote,
“You have to be the change you want to see in the world.”
The world is unfair, and we have to accept it no matter what. There will be obstacles in our way, and some of them will be intemperate to deal with.
The more we will try to fight, the more there will be an equal and opposite reaction.
So the best advice for us comes from the movie Rocky Balboa,
“Just get hit and keep moving forward.”
We can’t just hinge upon our company to pay us for our daily requisites. We have to keep doing what we love and find an alternate source of income along with it.
By changing the field, I mean changing it for a particular period of hours in a day. This will help us to fulfill our necessities to some extent; a part-time job, an online business, or freelance work is the best option. Because it’s not just about our passion, it’s also about our responsibilities towards our near and dear ones as well.
The things I have elaborated on in point number 2 also apply to all of us, whether you are a newbie or an experienced artist. As they say, we should never stop learning. Well, I won’t stretch it as you are intelligent enough to understand it. And as we accept the first two points in our lives, we automatically become the change we want to see.
Hope it will help you to cope with the situation and make a wise choice for your life. And as far as our industry is concerned, things seem to be improving for good compared to a few years ago. With sound management and government support, things can turn positive. People like us can continue doing what we love to do with rightful returns.
Till then,
“STAY ANIMATED STAY MOTIVATED “!
And If you want to know more about the challenges in our industry, do read the segment “The Faults in Our Art!”
Some time ago, I felt the urge to expand my knowledge about Indian Animation and was shocked to see that there is no single book available so far on this topic. So, I decided to write one, titled “Indian Animation and The Faults In Our Art.” But unfortunately, it didn’t get any publishing deal due to the nature of the subject. So instead of going to a self-publishing route, I thought of converting the content into this blog so that it can reach the maximum number of people for free, and I can always keep on updating it with changing times.
Now the vital question? Why did I write my unpublished book in the first place? Well, that’s because, over the years, I have witnessed that Indian Animation has not made enough progress to make a mark in this world.
You see, the animation is undoubtedly the most flexible form of film-making with the ability to go beyond the expected. But when it comes to India, we are still struggling to get the basics right, we are still struggling to understand the true potential of this medium, and most importantly, we are still struggling to embrace the art of animation.
And the most crucial question is, “Why?”
Why countries like the USA, Japan embraced this art and have managed to turn this medium into full-fledged family entertainment. Whereas in India, it is still looked down on as purely a children’s genre and is ignored by almost all adults. But more importantly, why don’t we shy away from investing our time and money into watching International films like Kung-fu Panda, The Incredibles, but won’t even think of walking into the theater to watch domestic Animated movies?. What makes Disney, Pixar, and Ghibli so successful. And what is that we need to adopt from them to grow and prosper in terms of art, style, commerce, and entertainment.
Through this series of articles, we will explore answers to all these questions and debunk the mysteries behind the success of western and Japanese animated films and the struggle behind our industry. With each chapter or article, we will look at some fundamental and deeply rooted faults in Indian content, things that have worked for us, and things that have led to the downward slope of the art of animation.
As an animator, as a writer, and more importantly, as an audience, my intention behind writing this book or blog is to help the budding generation of artists, industry professionals, and everyone interested in the medium to learn from our past, fix our present, and take a leap into the future. And hopefully, together, we can support our beloved art to earn a respectable place in the business of family entertainment.
When you read these articles, read them as if you are reading a book. I have divided the section into three major parts:
-The Past:
Here, we will witness the journey of Indian animation and what worked and did not work for us.
-The Present:
Here, we will analyze the current state of our art and the reasons for its downward curve.
-The Future:
Here, we will discuss the destiny of our art, and I will share some vital bits of advice for budding artists that will help them to thrive in this industry.
Each section has some interesting chapters mentioned below.
In this chapter, we will shed some light on the journey of Indian animation, right from its inception in shadow forms to the silver screen, and learn about the people who contributed towards making this industry what it is today.
The Jungle Book is undoubtedly the most popular show in the history of Indian Animation. In this chapter, we will learn about its impact on our generation and what made it so successful.
Like the hugely popular Tv show Ramayana, the animated movie brought a revolution in Indian Animation. In this chapter, we will learn about the struggle behind making this movie and the sacrifices the creators of this movie made to release it.
Chhota Bheem is another household name, but have you ever wondered what makes it so big? In this chapter, Let’s look into the psychology of Chhota Bheem and reveal the secrets behinds its fame.
This movie instantly made an impact on our viewers, and in these chapters, we are going to decode some of the secrets behind its success with the help of animation principles.
This chapter will continue to explore fundamental animation principles that will help our readers to know the groundwork it takes to create these beautiful illusions of lives.
The stage was set for Roadside Romeo, and it was released with huge expectations, but unfortunately, everything went downhill. So in this chapter, we will explain what the makers of this should have learned from their famous movie DDLJ.
In the end, it all comes down to a story that can make or break the art. So in this chapter, we will learn about the fundamental issues with our storytelling and what we can do to improve it.
Animation and comedy go hand in hand, but for some reason, our shows seem to be deprived of humor. So let us learn some tricks and tips that could put a smile on our kid’s faces and know the secrets behind the funny business of western animation.
This mysterious ingredient is one major reason our animation lags in many aspects. If we can manage to implement it soon, we will have Indian animation spreading on the global stage.
Another factor why Indian animation doesn’t hold high standards in the eyes of our adult audiences. So in the chapter, let us learn the art of stealing and implementing it wisely without getting caught.
-Chapter Thirteen: The Women Power:
When the whole world is advocating for equal opportunities. But animation still seems to catch up in this department despite the need for women’s participation has been more than ever before. So in this chapter, let us reflect on women’s working conditions in the animation industry and the need for their empowerment.
-Chapter Fourteen: The Budget:
This is one major hurdle keeping our art behind. So let’s have a look at some of the examples and see how much we really spend on animation as compared to Hollywood.
-Chapter Fifteen: The Right Education.
This is where the problems begin. So let us analyze the issue behind it.
The Future: And The Destiny of our Art
-Chapter Sixteen: STAY ANIMATED STAY MOTIVATED.
The Passion.
The Inspiration.
So here we go.
I will update this blog as and when possible, and soon, I will convert it into a free ebook. So do make sure to subscribe by filling the form below for tons of free content and, more importantly, helping our art leave a mark in the world of family entertainment.
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”― RUDYARD KIPLING, THE JUNGLE BOOK
Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s book and directed by Fumio Kurokawa, “The Jungle Book” debuted on Indian television in the year 1993. An era hanging on the doldrums of an imbalanced economy, communal violence, and filthy terrorism.
And amid this massive burning cauldron, in the monsoon of July 1993, our houses echoed with a delightful song written by the great Gulzar, the title song of the series “Jungle Jungle baat chali hai, pata chala hai.” It was a much-needed escape from the series of depressing events that engulfed our nation at that time. The song brought a sense of optimism and cheerfulness amongst the people, specifically children, during a challenging time in Indian history.
By that time, many great Disney and Warner Bros shows were already running successfully. Still, none of them were able to instantly resonate with us, and profoundly influence a generation like The Jungle Book. It was a show that brought the families together and made Sunday afternoon the best time of the week. Soon Mowgli became a common household name and an integral part of our pop culture.
So what’s it’s about The Jungle Book specifically, that it was able to touch us in such a way that no other show can recreate the magic to date?. What was it about this show that made every child of our generation, wanting to run with the wolves, learn the language of every species, and climb on Bagheera’s back to jump over the cliff despite its secrets and dangers?
Well, It’s easy to guess it on the surface level, as it’s an entertaining show about a wild Indian boy who swings across the forest in his shorts along with his animal friends and their adventures in the wilderness in the midst of fighting the cunning and cruel tiger. For kids, that was more than enough reason to watch it, but on a deeper level, it was a show filled with great philosophical knowledge, values and was no lesser than a self-help book. At its core, it’s a story about growing up, maturing, learning more about the world, finding new friends, and, more importantly, finding yourself.
In other words, it was an excellent metaphor for our lives. Yes, the forest represented the concrete jungle we stay in. The animals represented our friends and families who care for us and protect us. The nemesis waiting in ambush posed the obstacles and problems we face, and the misfit protagonist represented “US,” lost into the unknown striving to survive. Just like Mowgli, we all face issues like growing up, we all feel like an odd one in the pack of wolves, and we all struggle to find our true identity always trying to adjust according to our environment in the vast civilized jungle.
Character of Jungle Book
The series did a fantastic job of showcasing the human values through these animals, and with great subtlety, provided various practical solutions for the dilemmas we face in our daily lives. It showed us the importance of finding our true self, and how everyone has some unique talent and skillsets, which we need to figure out to persevere in this world.
At the same time, it taught us the significance of family bonding, the sacrifices we need to make, staying true to our words and commitments, respecting the law, dealing with the loss of loved ones, and overcoming it.
And most importantly, it taught us the virtues of co-operation over pridefulness, by testing our beliefs against other people and finding common ground. It showed us that life is about walking according to the situation and opening ourselves to change.
And it did it without coming across as preachy or forceful. Its beauty was in its delicacy and simplicity wrapped in the innocence of a young mind. Truly, so far, no other show ever managed to achieve this and deeply touch our emotions, like The Jungle Book.
The anime also did a fabulous job of staying sincere to its original source material by staying dark and realistic as compared to the early cotton-candy Disney version. In the 1967 animated film, the story revolved around Shere khan trying to eat the boy, as his animal family tries to convince him to leave the jungle and live in the human village, which he is hesitant to do.
But later, Mowgli’s mind abruptly shifts when he is captivated by a pretty young girl from the village who is coming down by the riverside to fetch water. After noticing Mowgli, she “accidentally” drops her water pot. Mowgli retrieves it for her and follows her into the Man-Village and lives happily ever after.
Although that’s the basic concept of the anime as well and the movie is enormously popular and features a few memorable songs but received a considerable objection from critics and viewers for portraying certain characters in an insensitive way and altering the plot to serve Disney’s family film genres. That does not do any justice to the dramatic and sinister tone of Kipling’s work like the anime did years later.
Fortunately, Disney did realize their mistake and fixed it effectively in its latest live-action flick in 2016. They understood that it’s not about making selfish choices and our connection with our inner desires. It’s about the relationship between nature and mankind, the importance of respecting the natural laws, and how it is possible for us to harmoniously co-exist with nature that the anime displayed so effectively.
But one important factor that both the movie and the anime exposes is the literary trope called the Noble Savage. It embodies the concept of the indigene, an outsider, wild human who has not been “corrupted” by civilization, and therefore symbolizes humanity’s natural goodness. And it is this sense of innocence and naiveness that makes Mowgli such a relatable character that we all cherish and deeply connect with.
Here is an excellent lesson for Indian animation shows as well. Most of our Tv shows are influenced by Bollywood style structure, where the main protagonist is always invincible and is the epitome of perfection that we will discuss in detail in the upcoming articles.
But the success of The Jungle Book proved that you don’t need unnecessary actions, tacky gags, and larger than life protagonist to make a great show. As there was a show that shared the values of life and made an everlasting impact through an imperfect hero, who struggles like us, commits mistakes like us, learns like us. And most importantly grows like us, making it the greatest show of all time for our generation, at least in our hearts.
•1) Change the field: – 
•2) Keep patients: – 
•3) Be the change: – 
Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s book and directed by Fumio Kuroka
