Bombay Rose, the first Indian animation feature opened the 2019 Venice International Film Festival’s Critics Week directed by Geentajali Rao has travelled to Toronto, London and Busan, and garnered critical acclaim. Rao’s debut animation short Printed Rainbow(2006) has won Young Critics Awards at the Critics Week section at Cannes in 2006.
Geetanjali Rao, director and animator, feels that animation is a genre that is yet to find its audience in India. While the Indian animation films are acclaimed at various international platforms it is yet to find acceptability at home. The Indian animated films have not been able to develop the same response as their international counterparts and it is also visible in their box office collection.
Chhota Bheem, a successful television series too failed to bring audiences in large numbers of cinema halls with its two films.The Jungle Book which belongs to India given that the lead character Mowgli is Indian, it was produced by Hollywood and dubbed into many local languages leading to lesser opportunities for Indian animation.
The animation industry which definitely needs more support from producers and distributors, it also craves for the change in attitude from the people. Many associate the animation films relevant for the kids and this perception is also hindering its growth in the country. The director and animators must be pushed to think out of the box. They should encourage creativity and different formats and not to follow only the Rule of Thumb.
