Film industry has failed to help animation films grow: Shoojit

Panaji: Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar said here on Friday that Bollywood and the entire film industry has failed to do enough to promote the growth of serious animation filmmaking in India, as it has been done in countries like Japan. Sircar said big stars, like it is done in Hollywood, need to lend their voice for characters in animation films, to help the segment grow.

“It is after working on the film ‘Light’ based on the founder of the Brahmakumaris that I learnt how potent and important it is for us to invest in terms of art and talent towards animation. We have a few animators or animation directors in India. But it has a huge audience. It is the responsibility of Bollywood, Tollywood and the entire Indian film industry to promote animation films,” Sircar said at the 54th International Film Festival of India.

He said the entire backhand production work for the US animation films is presently being done in India, but this talent is not being utilised by Indian filmmakers.

“Whether it is producers, directors or actors, we, including me, are not helping lift this format. We don't make too many children's films too. Animation is such a good medium to influence children. I blame myself, too, for not participating in it. I can see the vastness of animation films after working on ‘Light’. Now, I will look into animation films more to tell stories,” he said.

He said that it is a shame that Jungle Book was not made by Indians.

“Actually, we should have made Jungle Book. Sometimes it is disturbing that we did not do it. Most of the international studios are using sources here for animation and special effects. We have the talent. Just the industry needs to come out and shake themselves and give more to animation films,” Sircar said.

He said it needs to be understood that animation films are not only for children.

“In the US, a lot of A-list actors participate in animation films. If such A-list actors in India participate then it reaches more homes,” Sircar said. He said it is a time-consuming format and can get a boost in India if given tax concession or subsidy.

Animation filmmaker Prasad Ajgaonkar, whose Punjabi animation film ‘Char Shahezaade’ has been the highest grossing animation film in India, said Indian film industry is still stuck in the ‘cartoon film phase.

“In the West, there is a huge market for animation, but in India, we lost it somewhere. We also need the audience in India to come forward and watch the films of the few good animation filmmakers,” the filmmaker said.


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