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Return of the Jungle: India's Animation Ambition
27 May
Summary
- Filmmaker Vaibhav Kumaresh self-funded his animated debut.
- The film was developed by 18 artists over seven years.
- It aims to showcase contemporary India and local stories.
Vaibhav Kumaresh's animated feature, 'Return of the Jungle,' is set to release in cinemas on May 29, marking the culmination of a two-decade-long dream. The filmmaker personally funded the project after facing initial reluctance from investors due to the then-struggling Indian animation industry.
Developed over seven years by a dedicated team of 18 artists, the film transitions from traditional animation techniques to digital 3D. Kumaresh was driven by a desire to elevate Indian animation quality and tell local, indigenous stories, inspired by folk tales and personal narratives.
The film centers on fourth graders and their everyday challenges, incorporating elements like folk music and a cricket match. Kumaresh highlights the industry's evolution since his studio's inception in 2003, lamenting the trend of Indian talent serving foreign studios instead of creating original content.
Kumaresh hopes 'Return of the Jungle' will encourage audiences to support Made-in-India projects. He emphasizes the importance of telling local stories for India's vast audience before targeting global markets, drawing parallels to the extensive timelines required for animated films by studios like Pixar and DreamWorks.
