Third front

What are these two companies concentrating on presently?

While both the companies are expanding and brimming with ideas, Maya Movies is specific to movies while Maya Digital Studios makes only animation content, whether it is films or television.
The main shows on Maya Digital Studios are Motu Patlu which has completed over 100 episodes and that really worked in its favour. This comedy CGI animated television series, airing on Nickelodeon, is adapted from the classic comic strip Lot Pot. Vir -the Robot Boy on Hungama TV, a robot with human-like qualities, is a weekly animated comedy-adventure series set in India.
Now, we are working on Krishna which will go on air soon followed by Shiva and Eena Meena Deeka, which we will talk about when it goes on air. These shows are on various channels like Nickelodeon, Disney, Hungama and Discovery. We are also doing some work for American and Singapore shows. With five animated series on air, it takes up most of our time. Earlier, we used to outsource a lot of work and hence we did not get credit for it. We have worked on Ramayana, the animation film and Amar Chitra Katha’s Sons of Ram – Heroes Will Arise in 3D. Today we have become one the largest animation companies in India.

What are the films that Maya Movies is working on?

Presently, we are caught up with the release of Rang Rasiya which is a true story on the life of the 19th-century Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma. This will be followed by Manjhi: The Mountain Man, another true life story of the man who broke a mountain for love.
Ketan (Mehta) is planning a musical titled Baiju. It is his ambitious project and he has been wanting to make it for long. He will start it once these two films release. Since it is in 3D, it needs a lot of time for preparation. Besides this, Ketan also wants to make the Indian version of Anna Karenina. We are working on these projects. There is Motu Paltu which is to be made in a feature film format because it has become a very successful product.

What was the delay in releasing Rang Rasiya which has been ready since 2008?

 Rang Rasiya is very controversial film as Varma was rebellious in nature . It was also an expensive film with some bold scenes. All these factors led to the film’s delay in release. Now it is to release on November 7.

Animated series generally get noticed for their merchandise. Have you given this a thought?

Yes, we have. With Motu Patlu gaining popularity, we saw some poor version of its products in the market. That is when we decided to get into merchandising. We plan to have products like helmets, T-shirts, school bags and things that go with the series that kids like.

Maya Entertainment was once a place for enthusiast learners. What is its position today?

When we began Maya, there were very few animators around and out of necessity, we had to start training forces for our own work. That became a business by itself and today we can proudly claim to have trained over 50,000 students. But now we are not into teaching and have widen our horizons.

You mentioned a new banner. What would be its focus? Have you thought of a name?

Yes, I will be launching another company which will focus solely on films. Currently, the scripting process is going on, and the ventures are all going to very different kind of films. However, I cannot reveal much right now as it will be launched in three month’s time.