Have you ever-
Watched an Indian animated feature film with a jam-packed crowd in the theatres,
Felt the overwhelming emotions with the characters, and
Seen a nonstop standing ovation at the end of the show? 😍 👏 👏
This was my experience watching “Return of the Jungle”, directed by Vaibhav Kumaresh, which was screened at Mumbai International Film Festival 2024. Although I missed its premiere at the IFFI last year, this time, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to watch the film with the entire team from Vaibhav Studios and other members of the Indian animation fraternity.
This engaging story of strength, hope, and friendship made me both nostalgic and emotional. The film beautifully weaves tales of the forest and urban landscapes together, creating a seamless narrative. The settings are perfectly chosen and are complemented by a fitting score and songs that deserve recognition.
As an avid cricket fan, I found the cricket segment incredibly thrilling. It truly transported me into the atmosphere of a real match. The shots were meticulously choreographed and had everyone on the edge of their seats. The overall animation and texturing, especially in scenes like the fancy dress competition, showcase the team's creative brilliance and attention to detail. I could go on, but it would be unfair to reveal more about the film as it gets ready for its theatrical release.
Hats off to Vaibhav Ji and the entire team at Vaibhav Studios for their dedication and hard work in crafting a film that meets international standards. It was a pleasure to visit Vaibhav studios the day after the screening and have a detailed interaction with his team, gaining a deeper understanding of the film's technical aspects and how these elements were used to enhance storytelling.
We've often seen a few full-length animated films from smaller studios around the globe that captivate their audiences and inspire people worldwide. I feel it's the first time an Indian animation studio has successfully broken into this realm, with the ability to make a significant global impact. With a team of fewer than twenty members, Vaibhav Studios spent over a decade creating 'ROTJ' dedicating five to six painstaking years to production. This achievement is even more impressive when we realize they self-funded their ambitious project by doing commercials along the way.
Thank you, Vaibhav Ji, for this wonderful experience. May your collaboration with industry stalwarts like Toonz Media Group help you find proper channels of distribution and sales for this milestone film. This marks a new era for Indian animation and the AVGC sector, promising a brighter future and we hope this brings unwavering support for independent animations in India.
Vaibhav Kumaresh | Vaibhav Studios | Ranjit Singh | JAYAKUMAR P | Toonz Media Group | National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) | FICCI #MIFF2024 #ROTJ #ReturnOfTheJungle #MumbaiInternationalFilmFestival #AnimatedFeatureFilm #IndependentAnimation