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Tag: Gotham Chopra

  • Disney brings Graphic’s ‘Astra Force’ on Big B’s birthday

    Disney brings Graphic’s ‘Astra Force’ on Big B’s birthday

    MUMBAI: Graphic India and Disney Channel India will reveal the first look of its superhero series Astra Force on the occasion of Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday – 11th October as a special surprise for the millions of megastar’s fans around the world.

    In the month of August last year, Graphic and Disney announced the production of the animated series -“Astra Force.” with legendary icon, Bachchan. A funny and fast-paced, action-adventure series, filled with laughs and thrills, “Astra Force” tells the story of a mythical hero from a distant world, who was stranded on th earth millions of years ago after an epic space battle.

    When 8-year old brother and sister twins accidentally awaken the mythical superhero from his long hibernation, they must teach him about our modern world and join Astra to save the universe from a new wave of giant monsters and intergalactic threats.

    “At the heart of everything we do at Disney is tell great stories and we tell them in a manner that our audiences that can relate with. We have been building on our local animation slate on Disney Channel; offering content and content that kids have come to love and now with Astra Force, we are extremely happy to have partnered with Sharad and Mr. Bachchan to bring in another interesting facet to storytelling in this space, said Disney India VP – content and communications, media networks, Vijay Subramaniam.

    “Amitabh Bachchan is a real life superhero to millions, including myself, so it’s no surprise that he is the perfect person to become immortalized in this new animated avatar,” added Graphic’s Co-Founder & CEO Sharad Devarajan. “The opportunity to collaborate with Bachchan on ‘Astra Force’ is made that much stronger by partnering with Disney, a company whose creativity and storytelling I have admired all my life.”

    Disney Channel India has been entertaining kids and families through a range of locally relevant stories spread across high-quality animation series and “Astra Force” will be the perfect complement to the line-up of existing shows.

    Devarajan is the producer on “Astra Force” along with Graphic India SVP-Creative Jeevan J. Kang who is overseeing visual development character design and art for the project.

    Graphic’s previous animated superhero, Chakra The Invincible, was created with Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man and The Avengers) and received over 30 million views globally on Rovio’s ToonsTV platform available through the Angry Birds app.

    Graphic India is a character entertainment company focused on creating leading characters, comics and stories through mobile and digital platforms. Founded by media entrepreneurs Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman, it is owned by the U.S. comic book company, Liquid Comics and CA Media LP, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG).

  • Disney brings Graphic’s ‘Astra Force’ on Big B’s birthday

    Disney brings Graphic’s ‘Astra Force’ on Big B’s birthday

    MUMBAI: Graphic India and Disney Channel India will reveal the first look of its superhero series Astra Force on the occasion of Amitabh Bachchan’s birthday – 11th October as a special surprise for the millions of megastar’s fans around the world.

    In the month of August last year, Graphic and Disney announced the production of the animated series -“Astra Force.” with legendary icon, Bachchan. A funny and fast-paced, action-adventure series, filled with laughs and thrills, “Astra Force” tells the story of a mythical hero from a distant world, who was stranded on th earth millions of years ago after an epic space battle.

    When 8-year old brother and sister twins accidentally awaken the mythical superhero from his long hibernation, they must teach him about our modern world and join Astra to save the universe from a new wave of giant monsters and intergalactic threats.

    “At the heart of everything we do at Disney is tell great stories and we tell them in a manner that our audiences that can relate with. We have been building on our local animation slate on Disney Channel; offering content and content that kids have come to love and now with Astra Force, we are extremely happy to have partnered with Sharad and Mr. Bachchan to bring in another interesting facet to storytelling in this space, said Disney India VP – content and communications, media networks, Vijay Subramaniam.

    “Amitabh Bachchan is a real life superhero to millions, including myself, so it’s no surprise that he is the perfect person to become immortalized in this new animated avatar,” added Graphic’s Co-Founder & CEO Sharad Devarajan. “The opportunity to collaborate with Bachchan on ‘Astra Force’ is made that much stronger by partnering with Disney, a company whose creativity and storytelling I have admired all my life.”

    Disney Channel India has been entertaining kids and families through a range of locally relevant stories spread across high-quality animation series and “Astra Force” will be the perfect complement to the line-up of existing shows.

    Devarajan is the producer on “Astra Force” along with Graphic India SVP-Creative Jeevan J. Kang who is overseeing visual development character design and art for the project.

    Graphic’s previous animated superhero, Chakra The Invincible, was created with Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man and The Avengers) and received over 30 million views globally on Rovio’s ToonsTV platform available through the Angry Birds app.

    Graphic India is a character entertainment company focused on creating leading characters, comics and stories through mobile and digital platforms. Founded by media entrepreneurs Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman, it is owned by the U.S. comic book company, Liquid Comics and CA Media LP, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG).

  • Graphic India raises $2.8 million to create mobile content

    Graphic India raises $2.8 million to create mobile content

    MUMBAI: Graphic India has closed a new seed-financing round of $2.8 million. 

     

    The financing was led by CA Media, the Asian investment arm of Peter Chernin’s The Chernin Group that had picked up a stake in Graphic India in 2013, and Michael Maher’s New York based Start Media. The other investors in the seed-financing include Backflip Studios Julian Farrior and Dale Thoms.

     

    The funds raised will be utilised to create content in English, Hindi, Tamil and other Indian languages for the Indian youth to consume on their mobile devices. India has more than 850 active mobile connections and 550 million people under the age of 25.

     

    Graphic India is looking at launching a new wave of enduring characters and mythic heroes for audiences in India and around the world.

     

    Graphic India CEO and co-founder Sharad Devarajan said, “The next Steven Spielberg, JK Rowling, Stan Lee or Miyazaki exists somewhere in India, ready to change the world through their stories. At Graphic, we will find these breakthrough talents and give them the resources and the digital platform to share their creativity with the world. This new financing will expand our content offering and allow us to create India’s premiere mobile platform for comics and animation – engaging and building a passionate community of superhero, sci-fi and mythology fans through Graphic’s content and characters.”

     

    Over the next few months, Graphic India will unveil a number of digital products and apps in India to build direct engagement with the growing community of comic book and animation fans in the country.

     

    “We have always believed in the immense potential of Graphic India. An amalgamation of talent and creativity, the characters, heroes and stories from Graphic India, tap into the unique ingenuity and culture of India, but appeal to audiences worldwide. With smart phones increasingly becoming the preferred medium of entertainment for the youth and the ever increasing consumer reach of mobiles in India, the move towards expanding their offering and creating content for smart phones and tablets will give them with a significant boost and enthuse the next generation of comic buffs,” added Chernin Asia Media Group COO Rajesh Kamat.

     

    Founded in January 2013, by Devarajan, Gotham Chopra and Suresh Seetharaman, Graphic India had previously raised $2.5 million in initial seed financing from CA Media.

     

  • ‘The Sadhu’ to soon turn in to a Hollywood film

    ‘The Sadhu’ to soon turn in to a Hollywood film

    NEW DELHI: The Indian comic book series – The Sadhu – is now being converted into a Hollywood film with producer Mark Canton’s Atmosphere Entertainment teaming up with a Los Angeles-based entertainment company.

     

    Canton will develop the live-action film Warrior: Revenge of The Sadhu — the journey of one man who barters his soul’s deliverance for his family’s honour based on Graphic India’s superhero comic book series.

     

    A Graphic India spokesperson said the story centres on James Jenson, a British soldier whose family is brutally murdered by a corrupt superior officer in the Indian colony of Bengal in 1858. Jenson escapes in the remote forests of India where he seeks refuge with the mysterious Indian mystics – sadhus.

     

    Graphic India co-founders are Sharad Deverajan and Gotham Chopra, son of the new-age author Deepak Chopra.

     

    After years of being trained in their supernatural arts, Jenson must decide whether to use his newfound powers for inner peace and enlightenment as they are intended, or for justice against the people who murdered his family.

     

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Graphic India also co-wrote the screenplay for Warrior: Revenge of The Sadhu based on a new mobile comic series on the character to be launched later this year across India.

     

    Canton’s long list of blockbuster motion pictures include the film adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel 300, The Immortals and the recently released 300: Rise of an Empire which opened March 7.

     

    “In the same way Greek myths have captivated the imagination of audiences around the world, the screenplay by Gotham Chopra and Sharad Devarajan for ‘Warrior’ taps into the mystical traditions and mythologies of India through an accessible action-packed adventure that I am confident will make a spectacular blockbuster film and will mark the birth of a new franchise,” Canton said in a press release.

     

    With 300 and Immortals, Mark Canton has produced some of the most successful films in Hollywood based on epic myths and legends.

     

    “We are incredibly honoured that he will now be working with us to take the story of The Sadhu to the big screen,” Deverajan said.

  • Producer Mark Canton to develop superhero film “Warrior Birth of the Sadhu”

    Producer Mark Canton to develop superhero film “Warrior Birth of the Sadhu”

    MUMBAI: Acclaimed Hollywood producer, Mark Canton, and Graphic India, acharacter entertainment company focused on creating superheroes, comics and stories through mobile and digital platforms, announced today that Canton will be developing and producing a live-action feature film based on Graphic’s superhero property, “The Sadhu” through his production company, Atmosphere Entertainment.

    Canton’s long list of blockbuster motion pictures include the film adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel ‘300,’ ‘The Immortals,’ and the just released ‘300: Rise of an Empire,’ which opened last Friday (7) to a stellar worldwide weekend gross in excess of $133 million and is setting new box office records in numerous countries. Graphic India Co-Founders, Sharad Devarajan and Gotham Chopra, who will produce the film with Canton, also co-wrote the theatrical film screenplay for “Warrior: Revenge of The Sadhu,” which is based on a new mobile comic series on the character to be launched later this year across India.

    The story centers on James Jenson, A British soldier whose family is brutally murdered by a corrupt superior officer in the Indian colony of Bengal in 1858. Jenson escapes in the remote forests of India where he seeks refuge with the mysterious Indian mystics known as sadhus. After years of being trained in their supernatural arts, Jenson must decide whether to use his newfound powers for inner peaceand enlightenment as they are intended, or for justice against the people who murdered his family. Warrior: The Sadhu follows the journey of one man who barters his soul’s deliverance for his family’s honor.

    Commenting on the project Canton added, “In the same way Greek myths have captivated the imagination of audiences around the world, the screenplay by Gotham Chopra and SharadDevarajan for ‘Warrior’ taps into the mystical traditions and mythologies of India through an accessible action-packed adventure that I am confident will make a spectacular blockbuster film and will mark the birth of a new franchise.”

    Sharad Devarajan, Co-Founder and CEO of Graphic India added, “With ‘300’ and ‘Immortals,’ Mark Canton has produced some of the most successful films in Hollywood based on epic myths and legends.We are incredibly honored that he will now be working with us to take the story of ‘The Sadhu’ to the big screen.”

    Graphic India was formed by comic book company, Liquid Comics and CA Media LP, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG).

     

  • Virgin Comics to produce ‘Secrets of the Seven Sounds’

    Virgin Comics to produce ‘Secrets of the Seven Sounds’

    MUMBAI: Sir Richard Bransons’ Virgin Comics, LLC and Kahani World, Inc. an independent animation company based in Toronto, Canada, have teamed up to co-produce Secrets of the Seven Sounds, a full length animated feature for kids (seven & above age group), inspired by Ramayana.

    In addition to action, adventure and fantasy, Secrets of the Seven Sounds challenges tradition by asking us to consider what it might really be like to be the little brother of the Chosen One? Seven Sounds tells the story of the handsome, naturally gifted, and love-struck Prince Ram whose destiny has chosen him to rescue Princess Sita (the object of his affections) and save the world from the villainous lord Ravan. But the real hero of Seven Sounds is of course, Lux – prince Ram’s 11 year-old little brother – the family’s insightful and often-overlooked intrepid fighter, states an official release.

    “The Ramayan continues to be the bedrock of India’s cultural identity in ways that no other myth can claim,” says Deepak Chopra, best-selling author and chairman of Virgin Comics. “The Seven Sounds’ animated film is a marvelous way to share this story and inspire children around the world.”

    Secrets of the Seven Sounds is already in an advanced stage of development; full production begins in just seven weeks. The feature is in collaboration with Virgin Comics co-founders, Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur (director of Four Feathers, Bandit Queen and the 8-time Oscar nominated Elizabeth) and is based on an original story by Gotham Chopra, Sharad Devarajan and Jeevan Kang. The animated feature will be brought to market in the summer of 2007, the release adds.

    “Our comics and film stories are infused with characters and mythic sensibilities that resonate with audiences around the globe,” says Virgin Comics CEO Sharad Devarajan. “Kahani World shares our vision and understands the importance of epic storytelling. Together we are uniquely positioned to produce an exceptional animated feature, and adapt the film for global merchandising, graphic novels and promotional campaigns.

    Virgin Comic’s chief creative officer Gotham Chopra concluded: “It’s about time the world is exposed to the rich mythology we have stored up in our vaults in India and Asia. With Kahani, we are excited to be bringing one of the greatest Indian legends, re-fashioned, to the world, and in doing so create new planetary myths that people every where can enjoy. This is just the start!”

    “Kahani is focused on creating and producing world-class animation brands that become icons in India, resonate throughout Asia, and also appeal to the audiences around the world,” says animation veteran, CEO and president of Kahani World Inc and Executive Producer of Secret of the Seven Sounds,Biren Ghose. “We aim to put a new spin on storytelling, blending stories that may have an ‘Indian DNA’ but which thrive in the contemporary context and culture of the global kidizen! Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation have succeeded in straddling the East – West paradigm with equal excellence and are an inspiration and benchmark for what Kahani seeks to achieve as a company.”