When
asked
to
comment
on
the
quality
of
animation
films
produced
in
India,
I
recall
commenting
that
we
are
still
in
infancy
stages
right
now,
still
grappling
with
how
to
make
animation
movies,
still
confused
about
the
target
audience
and
how
to
compete
with
feature
films
which
remain
the
first
choice
of
moviegoers…
The
thought
of
competing
or
comparing
with
animation
films
in
the
West
just
doesn't
arise
at
this
point.
Generally,
animation
films
made
across
the
Atlantic
target
not
just
the
kids,
but
also
grownups,
but
the
animation
films
made
in
Mumbai
are
targeted
at
kids
primarily.
When
they
[the
kids]
have
access
to
the
best
of
animation
on
television,
why
would
they
spend
their
parents'
hard-earned
money
to
watch
an
animation
film
in
theatres?
But,
hopefully,
things
should
change
for
better
with
Ketan
Mehta's
animation
film
Ramayana,
which
has
been
timed
during
Dashehra.
One
expects
a
top
notch
animation
film
from
Mehta,
mainly
because
his
studio
[Maya]
is
a
front-runner
in
the
animation
industry.
The
expectations
only
double
since
Mehta
and
director
Chetan
Desai
choose
'Ramayana'
as
the
subject
for
their
animation
film.
Ramayana
works
for
two
reasons.
One,
the
story
[yes,
we
know
the
story
well,
but
love
to
listen
to
it
again
and
again]
keeps
you
hooked
and
two,
the
quality
of
animation
is
super.
It's
difficult
to
encompass
this
great
epic
in
a
two-hour
film
[this
one's
less
than
two
hours],
but
the
makers
convey
all
they
ought
to
convey
most
effectively.
A
number
of
sequences
from
Ramayana
have
recall
value.
But,
as
a
viewer,
I
really
liked
the
portions
depicting
the
fight
between
Sugriva
and
Bali,
Raavan's
introduction,
Hanuman's
journey
to
Lanka
and
of
course,
the
battle
between
Lord
Rama
and
Raavan.
In
fact,
the
battle
is
spectacular
and
blows
your
mind.
Besides,
the
vibrant
usage
of
colors
coupled
with
a
fast-paced
narrative
makes
this
animation
film
the
best
we've
seen
so
far.
In
addition
to
that,
special
attention
has
been
paid
to
the
lighting
and
costumes.
Also,
the
animated
characters
come
alive
with
voice-overs
by
Manoj
Bajpayee
[Lord
Rama],
Juhi
Chawla
[Goddess
Sita],
Ashutosh
Rana
[Raavan]
and
Mukesh
Rishi
[Lord
Hanuman].
The
only
problem
that
I
see
is
the
usage
of
chaste
Hindi
at
several
points,
which
makes
it
difficult
to
comprehend.
Also,
a
few
incidents/occurrences
from
the
epic
are
fleetingly
mentioned,
which
may
seem
right
since
the
makers
didn't
want
to
exceed
the
desired
length
of
the
film,
but
when
you
decide
to
make
a
film
on
'Ramayana',
you
can't
mention
the
vital
incidents
fleetingly.
On
the
whole,
Ramayana
is
a
must-watch.
It's
the
kind
of
cinema
that
should
appeal
to
youngsters
as
well
as
adults,
the
kids
and
the
kids-at-heart.
Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 11:14 [IST]