Yash Birla Group to rope in partner to release movies

Shloka Infotech, based in Mumbai, is keen to partner a company that has marketing and distribution strength, such as Shemaroo Entertainment, the country's biggest home entertainment company, or Percept Picture, which will help it produce and sell animated films.The company, which is also into the education business, has an in-house studio for production of graphics and animation content with a databank of animated films based on Indian mythology.

Anuj Batra, chief executive officer, Shloka Infotech, said the company has developed around nine animation flicks based on Indian mythology in the English language.

Of the nine films, three have been dubbed into Hindi while two have been converted into rhymes. The films are targeted towards children and are 30 minutes in duration.The movies will be released once a partner is roped in.

"We are seeking a long-term strategic alliance to further expand in the animation sector. We plan to produce full-length animation feature films that can be released threatricially, through home entertrainment (DVDs/VCDs) and other new media platforms," Batra said, declining to disclose the names of potential partners. Shloka is also in talks with film production houses to co-produce two animation films, which will be released in six months,, according to Batra.

This apart, Shloka plans to foray into ad films in the animation format. "As a pilot test, we have created two animated ad films.The company's The Heritage India Series of interactive CD-ROMs & Video CDs consists of animated stories on Divine Children, Saints of India, Bal Hanuman,in addition to comics, puzzles and quizzes. It also develops children's books and magazine.