India’s leading kids’ entertainment channel, Cartoon Network will host the premieres of two high quality Indian animation features – â€?Son Of Alladin’ on Saturday, 10 June at 2:00 p.m. and â€?The Legend of Buddha’ on Sunday, 25 June at 12 noon.
Produced by Pentamedia, the two captivating feature-length animations take the tally of local animations acquired and showcased by Cartoon Network to eleven, with three of these launching in 2006. As the first international kids’ channel to recognise the potential in Indian animation and providing a national platform, Cartoon Network now has reiterated its efforts to promote high quality, home-grown animation programming by actively scouting for fresh scripts for the Network from Indian animators.
Anshuman Misra, Managing Director, Turner International India Pvt. Ltd., said, �Cartoon Network is extremely proud of its pioneering role in bringing Indian folklore and historical tales to young audiences in a format that is appealing, educating and entertaining. We are also very happy that local animation has very quickly gained its rightful place of honour on the Network, right beside the ever-popular international animation shows, demonstrating that quality content, be it Indian or international, resonates with the discerning young viewers. In sync with our programming strategy of offering a healthy balance between International and Indian content, we will continue to entertain our fans across the country with no less than five additional local animation products within this year itself!�
Misra added, �Having paved the way for Indian animation showcase on television channels in the country, we are very enthused by the success of these shows on the Network. Taking cue from the overwhelming positive response to Indian content by viewers across the country, Cartoon Network is now moving to the next level of being involved in the creative process. The Network is scouting avenues for lending its expertise on the likes and dislikes of Indian kids to partner studios from the conceptual stage to the finished product.�
The popularity of Indian animation featured on Cartoon Network is evident from the ratings they have drummed up on every telecast. Ramayan: The Legend of Prince Ram has rated an average of 2.5 TVR in all its airings in All Kids and a 3.0 TVR in SEC AB. (3 airings over 2004 and 2005). Similarly, Vikram Betaal, launched in summer of 2005, rated a 3.0 TVR in SEC AB. For The Adventures of Tenali Raman and The Adventures of Chhota Birbal , average ratings of 1.5 TVR in SEC AB and 1.2 in all SEC have been observed.
Premiering on Saturday, 10 June at 2:00 p.m. in the Cartoon Network’s Thanda Funda programming block, Son Of Alladin is an action adventure thriller about the Prince of Basra, Mustafa who is hunted by the evil sorcerer Zee Zee Ba. The story is based on how the prince grows up totally oblivious of this, meets his ladylove and also rescues his long lost parents. The running time of the film is 80 minutes and has been produced using motion capture technology and a photo realistic environment. The movie has been produced by Pentamedia in nine months with 1,100 shots and motion capture duration of 90 minutes.
Debuting on Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Network Theatre on Sunday, 25 June at 12 noon is the classic 2D animation feature titled �The Legend of Buddha’. This inspirational story details the journey of Prince Siddhartha of the Kingdom of Kapilavastu, who is prophesied to abandon his opulent life for one of asceticism and spirituality. Despite every measure taken to ensure that the Prince leads a protected life of luxury and comfort, he witnesses the effects of old age, sickness and death during a tour of his city. These experiences prod him to pursue the true meaning and purpose of life. Unable to live a life of illusion, Siddhartha leaves his palatial comforts to embark on an arduous journey of self-realization. �The Legend of Buddha’ captures, in its engaging storyline and enchanting animation, the milestones that mark the path of Prince Siddhartha to Nirvana and becoming �The Enlightened One’.