Applause Entertainment, on Tuesday, announced an exclusive partnership with Amar Chitra Katha, publisher of the iconic Indian comics, to produce animated content.
As a part of this collaboration, which marks Applause’s foray into animation, the production house has acquired the license to Amar Chitra Katha’s catalogue that comprises more than 400 titles.
Founded in 1967 by Anant Pai, Amar Chitra Katha has been a pioneer in comic book storytelling for children in India. Most of the comics are based on Indian epics, mythology, folktales, and historical figures. According to the press release, with more than 1.5 million copies sold every year, the comics have secured a niche in the audience’s hearts and minds.
Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, said in a statement, “Amar Chitra Katha is a household name in India with a diverse and celebrated library which deserves to be retold. Like millions of other people, I have grown up reading these iconic comics and as a child, imagined them with dynamic visuals and dramatic sound and action. This is our opportunity to realise that dream.”
“This partnership is also a small step towards helping export Indian culture by taking a unique and deep-rooted cultural brand like Amar Chitra Katha to screens across the globe,” he added.
Preeti Vyas, President & CEO, Amar Chitra Katha, said in a statement, “While we continue to keep our founder, Mr Anant Pai’s dream alive by telling new stories in print and digital formats, we are also keen on presenting our iconic stories in an animated format.”
“We are confident that the Applause team, by adapting our stories to animation, will help in providing the new and future generations of Indians a crucial link to our past,” she added.
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Applause Entertainment has backed 25 original series to date, including popular shows such as Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, the Tigmanshu Dhulia and Vishal Furia-directorial Criminal Justice, and the Ronit Roy and Tisca Chopra-starrer Hostages.
Recently, the production house announced a new web series starring Jaideep Ahlawat and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub. Directed by Shaad Ali, it will be the Indian adaptation of the British mystery series Guilt.