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Indian IPs Get Global Makeover
14 Feb
Summary
- Sippy Films revives Sholay and Shaan for animation and gaming.
- Strategy mirrors Disney and Japanese anime for broad appeal.
- New feature film partnership expected by mid-2026.
Sippy Films is revitalizing its legacy intellectual properties, including "Sholay" and "Shaan," through a comprehensive, multi-format strategy. This initiative, supported by investor Kuberans Tech Ventures, will see these beloved characters expanded across animation, microdramas, gaming, and merchandising. The studio's approach draws inspiration from Western character IP models and the cross-platform success of Japanese anime, with a specific focus on engaging younger demographics.
This strategy positions films as the primary driver for these IPs, supplemented by numerous revenue streams and audience touchpoints. Shehzad Sippy, custodian of the IPs, emphasized the importance of continuous fan engagement through various platforms. He highlighted the potential for revenue diversification, noting that character-led IPs lend themselves well to gaming, merchandising, and licensing, a model exemplified by companies like Disney and Green Gold Animation.
Jeet Wagh, a director at Kuberans, stressed the need for flexible content strategies across theatrical, streaming, and emerging formats like microdramas. He noted that traditional theatrical planning is evolving due to the proliferation of parallel platforms. The goal is to create content that resonates with young people and, hopefully, for generations to come, building out these worlds in film and animation.
The studio has been actively developing these IPs for over a year. By mid-2026, Sippy Films anticipates announcing a new feature film partnership, with production slated to begin later in the current year. Drawing parallels with the Japanese anime industry, which often sees manga leading to successful animated content and extensive merchandising, Sippy Films aims to replicate this integrated approach for its own legacy IPs, fostering cross-generational appeal.
The restored versions of "Sholay" and "Shaan" are also being considered for limited theatrical releases in North America and the U.K., alongside Blu-ray and streaming options. This holistic strategy aims to create new content that bridges the gap between older audiences and today's youth, ensuring these iconic IPs remain relevant and cherished for generations.
