Picasso Studios` Bal Bheem to hit screens by `09 end

The 90-minute movie, currently in the pre-production stage, captures the seeds of hatred sowed between the Pandavas and Kauravas during their childhood, which ultimately ended up with the Kurukshetra war.

The movie, being developed at an investment of Rs 12 crore, captures the untold adventures of little Bheem as an invincible warrior.

"Besides focusing on fun and adventure for children, the film will carry a subtle message for adults on how go-lucky kids are drawn by elders into warring factions leading to hatred and conflict," ABRP Reddy, managing director of Picasso Digital and adviser to Nasscom on animation and gaming, told Business Standard.

Picasso Studios, which has production facilities in Delhi and Hyderabad, had released the promo of Bal Bheem at the Annecy Animation Film Festival held in France last month. The company plans to release the film in five languages including English and at least in one European language version.

Reddy said the company would show extensive usage of cloth, water and fur/hair simulation in Bal Bheem that had been missing in Indian animation films released so far.

"Cloth and hair are integrated with the body of the characters in many animation movies and TV serials. In Bal Bheem's case, you will see cloth and hair appear realistic and moves the way you see in a live action flick. We are also planning to use Mocap (motion capture) technology to speed up the production," he added.

Merchandising, home DVD, reality shows and games are a part of Picasso's 360-degree approach to animation films. It has drawn up strategies and will get into planning once it is through with the pre-production work, Reddy said.

"We are currently evaluating various projects including a full-length animation feature film The Scorpio. In order to keep the production pipeline engaged, we need to run three projects concurrently. These are expected to be finalised by the time we establish our pipeline fully in another six months," he added.

Picasso is looking at revenues of Rs 25 crore for the current financial year. This represents a growth of 200 per cent, which it plans to maintain for the next two to three years.

"Our current revenues are from educational initiatives. Film production revenues will commence in 2009-10," Reddy said.