After the success of Hanuman and Siva, Toonz Animation India is gearing up to set another milestone with a 75-minute animation film Swami Ayyappan based on the lifestory of a boy Manikandan, who became a God worshipped by millions.
The film, a co-production between Toonz and the Mumbai based Animagic, creator of the award winning TV feature, Tripura, is slated to premier on national TV channels and subsequently distributed as DVDs during the upcoming Sabarimala season.
The film has the right mix of fantasy, action, adventure, mythology and history and is sure to delight audience of all ages. More than being a film on a mythological super hero, it is the message of religious tolerance and secularism that Swami Ayyappan highlights, says P Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Animation India.
The film, directed by Mahesh Vettiyar and Chetan Sharma follows the life of Manikandan, who is believed to be born out of the union between Lord Shiva and Vishnu in his Mohini avatar.
The incarnation is said to be for the purpose of slaying the demoness Mahishi, who was burning with anger to avenge the death of her brother the asura king Mahishasura, and thereby destroying all the three worlds. The larger purpose of his embodiment was to banish evil from this world and establish good.
'Animagic is pleased to participate in this beautiful project with Toonz. We enjoy telling stories from our roots and the legend of Ayyappan is a fantastic opportunity to serve that purpose humbly! Ayyappan is revered by millions and is a great role model for young children in his compassion, kindness and humility inspite of being, well - a God! We hope this film will become the definitive retelling of the story of Ayyappan for the small screen!', says Chetan Sharma, CEO, Animagic. |
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