From the way Sujith Ayyappan, an animation student, perceived the film Athbhutha Dweepu back in 2005, it showed there was much brewing in his head. Unlike a usual cinegoer, he was not just awed by the tale of the kingdom of real-life Lilliputians, but it triggered a sense of history in the future. And so was born Veerapakru, Malayalam’s first-ever animation movie — a children’s fantasy thriller with a film actor in the lead, an animated Guinness Pakru. Perhaps, after Rajinikanth in Kochadaiiyaan, Kerala can take pride in having another such in Indian cinema. The pull was so irresistible that, with no second thought, Sujith walked straight away to the actor to present his idea and get it okayed.
“I had created a short-length trailer to present before him. All this while, from the day the idea incubated in my mind, it stayed within me until one day I discussed it with my close friends. They encouraged me to go ahead,” says Sujith. The story has a prince getting raised by animals and the cub of a lion growing up in the palace. Many years later, as the animal kid turns against its own creed, the valorous prince Veerapakru, the hero, comes to the rescue of the animals in the forest. A first-look poster posted on social media by actor Tovino Thomas has been widely shared and circulated.
Guinness Pakru
Pakru got impressed by the trailer and gave his nod to associate with the project. “I demanded two things — not to compromise with quality output and make it appear as real as possible when usual cartoons are made to make kids just laugh. Soon we had a photo session where they took my pictures in different angles and left,” says Pakru. Is he priding to be another Kochadaiiyaan? “Kochadaiiyaan was on a larger scale. The thing is, our youngsters are not short of talent, which I know fully well and agreed to associate with them. Given a chance, they can do well and bring out amazing works. Another reason is an animated character as me could easily be liked by kids, for they form a good part of my audience. We actors turn characters upon trying different medium,” Pakru adds. Pakru, who took a sabbatical upon getting injured on a film location is on a come back path.
A professional animator, Sujith’s close-to-heart idea of many years is taking wings, step by step, as he creates the animations. He plans to do a 45 -minute film, tentatively planned for a December release, which according to him can extend, depending on funds and facilities. “An animation film is a costlier affair. An attempt like this being a first in Malayalam, producers are new to the idea. I am still in talks with the producer. The script is mine. In my plans there are more actors who can lend voice to other characters in the film,” says Sujith.
The poster shows Veerapakru from the rear view in a warrior’s costume, holding a cudgel and standing on top of a rock with verdurous greenery around. The work is underway at Primex Studio at Piravom in Kochi. While all this make you long for a sneak peek, the director disappoints. “Pakru’s face is the suspense factor kept under the wraps until the release. For the time being, all that is available to see is his posing on the poster,” says director Sujith. Though he plans a television release, Sujith is also open for the idea of a theatre release, provided someone readies to bank-roll the film to make it worth a big screen watch.
