Toon In

I believe that animation starts where live action gives up. I have studied animation in Canada and have made around 300 ad films. And though I’ve won National Awards for short films and documentaries,animation remains my forte. Although I was undecided for a long time whether I should make a live action feature or animation,I knew I had scope to make India’s first live action animation when I got the script. My producer Kumar Mangat supported the idea. After all,stars also make a film bankable.

With animation still in its nascent stages here,didn’t you consider it a risk?

Indian animation has witnessed massive progress in the last three decades. Today,India is also a known outsourcing destination for animation. If the scripts have potential,then animation could go a long way. I am hopeful Toonpur will be a step forward in the direction.

What made you zero in on Ajay Devgn for the role of Toonpur Ka Superhero?

The story was about a superstar who,while filming a particular sequence,enters Toonpur. I hence needed a superstar and couldn’t think of anyone better since Ajay has had a stable career in the industry for years. I wasn’t sure he would agree,but he was enthused the minute I showed him the script.

How did an otherwise choosy Kajol get into the picture?

In the story,the superstar is married to another successful actress. So it had to be Kajol,and she was gracious enough to do it.

Indian actors are not used to working alongside animated beings. How did you execute the scenes?

Who or what has been your inspiration?

I think it’s genetic. My father Bhimsain was the creator of television’s popular Ek,Anek Aur Ekta animation. After my animation film Mahagiri won me a National award,there was no looking back.