Indian animation films, Hanuman apart, haven’t quite made a mark on the audience. But Kireet Khurana, director of Toonpur ka Superrhero, says all that is about to change. Set for a December 24 release, the film is a combination of live action and animation, with leading stars Ajay Devgn and Kajol. In an e-mail interview to FE, Khurana claims Toonpur is unique, a first-of-its-kind film in India, as he talks about the challenges facing the animation industry in the country. Excerpts:

Indian animation films haven’t really taken off, barring a few exceptions? Is that changing?

Animation is big in the West and has a huge success rate. The audience goes to the theatres to get entertained, be told a good story in an interesting way. Unfortunately, we haven?t had many animation feature films in this country with good stories. Therefore, audience acceptance has been low. One must understand the three-most important parts of any film is story, story and story. If you have a strong story and storytelling in the film, then the chances of the film doing well are extremely high, provided it is marketed reasonably well. Toonpur is a different concept and a different genre, a combination of live action and animation, that too with leading stars like Ajay and Kajol. Therefore, it doesn?t qualify as an animation film entirely. Toonpur is an Ajay-Kajol starrer with animation as a unique peg to the film, making it the first-of-its-kind in India.

How did you get an idea like Toonpur Ka Superrhero? How did you execute it? Which are the studios associated with the project?

Raagi, my co-writer, and I started writing the story in January 2007. We did a lot of preproduction and inspirational sketches. We pitched it to our producers Kumar Mangat, Eros International, and subsequently, Ajay Devgn around May 2010 and they instantly said yes to the film due its story and unique treatment. Subsequent to that, around August 2007, Kajol agreed to do the film too and we were elated.

Were Ajay and Kajol your first choice? Why? Are you happy with the outcome?

The story of Toonpur is about a superstar whose children are unhappy with him. So the script demanded a leading star to play his real-life role, along with his wife and children. We had Ajay and Kajol in mind as they are Bollywood?s biggest leading pair and very accomplished actors, so this is a dream come true.

What are some of the challenges facing the Indian animation industry?

The animation industry in India is primarily geared towards doing backend work for the West. Most studios in India end up doing the drudgery part as service providers, very low on the value chain and have little or no creative skills. There is also a lot of emphasis on technology and software, whereas animation is actually an art form and we need artists more than technicians to run this industry. In animation education, there are no schools of international calibre to teach animation in India. Most of the so-called animation institutes are franchised animation software training outlets and that is sad. I hope things do change.

But despite these impediments, India has made huge strides in the past 15 years and a lot more needs to be done. We need animation directors, storytellers, creative heads and supervisors who really know the art and craft of animation and not just the technology and software of it. That?s when we shall be able to make content that sells and entertains the audience.

Are we still known as an outsourcing destination, or have we climbed up the ladder, especially creatively?

We have considerably climbed up the value chain. Many companies hitherto engaged in outsourcing work have engaged themselves in co-production having a stake in international projects. A lot of cutting visual effects work done for the largest movies in Hollywood is being done in India. DreamWorks is planning to produce its next movie out of India next year too. So there have been huge strides creatively, but precious little movement has taken place in the indigenous animation field, as most films have failed due to various reasons, mostly story and creative. I am hoping creatively and technically,

Toonpur makes its mark when it releases next month.

Did you find it difficult to get financial support for your film?

Surprisingly, not at all. Kumar Mangat of Big Screen, who is also Ajay Devgn?s partner, was one of the first people I had approached with Toonpur and he immediately lapped it up, as he found the concept and treatment unique. Ajay Devgn has revelled in doing myriad roles from serious to comedy and he was instantaneous in his commitment to Toonpur once he heard the script.

We have such a rich tradition of story telling; why isn’t animation exploiting it?

The time has come to move on from mythologies and get into original stories with original, fresh and contemporary characters. This is a feedback I get from almost everyone, as animated mythological films haven?t worked in India. It?s time for a break, time for Toonpur!

As for my dream project, I am working on a few ideas right now, all of them close to my heart. It?s about finding the right producer and cast that will decide which one beckons me first.