BWI: Amar Chitra Katha and Cartoon Network Announce the Release of their 3D Feature Film ‘Sons of Ram – Heroes will Rise’ in Cinemas this Diwali

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: ACK Media Ltd.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 01:39 PM IST (08:09 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Entertainment, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Major diversified industrial groups, Media & entertainment
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Amar Chitra Katha and Cartoon Network Announce the Release of their 3D Feature Film 'Sons of Ram - Heroes will Rise' in Cinemas this Diwali
Film to Release 2 November 2012 in over 400 Theatres in 3D and 2D, 3D Teaser to Release 27 July alongside 'Ice Age: Continental Drift'

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, July 31, 2012 -- (Business Wire India) -- 45 years after launching India's path breaking comic book, the legendary Amar Chitra Katha (ACK), in association with Cartoon Network, will release its first feature film on 2 November 2012 titled 'Sons of Ram - Heroes will Rise'. A special 3D teaser will hit theatres this month with the release of 'Ice Age: Continental Drift.'

'Sons of Ram', written and directed by Kushal Ruia, comes from the award winning team at ACK Animation Studios. The film's voice cast boasts of top talent from the world of theatre and film including Sunidhi Chauhan as the voice of Sita. The much anticipated film promises to delight the entire family with international quality animation and a soundtrack that contains four original songs. It will release in Hindi and English in over 400 screens pan-India on the first day of the Diwali holidays. Select theatres will screen the film in breath-taking stereoscopic 3D. It will also be released in Tamil and Telegu.

Based on ACK's bestselling comic book, Sons of Ram tells, Luv and Kush's journey through enchanted forests into the revered land of Ayodhya, the home of their fabled heroes. Complete with a new gang of loveable characters, this feature is an epic coming-of-age adventure as never seen before.

The film's world-class animation was completed in partnership with Malaysia-based Inspidea Studios. Maya Digital Studios is converting the film into stereoscopic 3D and will distribute it, in theatres both in India and abroad.

'Sons of Ram' is co-produced by Cartoon Network, the pioneers in kids' entertainment. Monica Tata, General Manager, Entertainment Networks, South Asia, Turner International India, said, "The 'Desi Toons' strategy is an integral part of Cartoon Network's goal to boost the Indian animation industry. We have had a very successful relationship with ACK to date and are thrilled to expand our strategy and association with them into theatres. This Diwali, kids are in for a visual treat with this new movie."

Commenting on the film, Vijay Sampath, CEO, ACK Media, says, "Sons of Ram carries forward the great storytelling tradition of Amar Chitra Katha and promises to grip its audiences in a tale of brotherhood, adventure and fun. With a November release, we look forward to entertaining millions of children and their families during the Diwali school holidays."

Backed by the legendary Amar Chitra Katha name, the film will make history as one of the widest marketing efforts in Indian animation across television, outdoor, print, and school contact programs. ACK Media has teamed up with its parent company Future Group to release a full assortment of merchandise from toys, stationary, apparel, and home products for the film to be sold in the Group's flagship chain Big Bazaar. The deal includes prime promotional support during the busy festive shopping season and special offers for consumers to receive discounted tickets on the film.

As the film's tagline prophesies: All will be told this November

About ACK MEDIA Ltd.

ACK Media is India's leading entertainment company focusing on young audiences and families. ACK has been entertaining and enlightening generations of Indians for over 5 decades with some of India's most loved brands including Amar Chitra Katha, Tinkle, Karadi Tales, and well-known proprietary characters like Suppandi and Shikari Shambhu.

ACK Media develops products for multiple platforms including print, home video, broadcast television, films, mobile, and online services. The company is headquartered in Mumbai and has design studios in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

ACK Animation Studios is the pathbreaking animation studio from ACK. It is creating ground-breaking content, which will redefine storytelling in Indian animation. The vision is to introduce a whole new generation to the magical worlds of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle through TV and film, and simultaneously to create new stories which continue to inspire and entertain in true ACK tradition. ACK Animation Studios has already launched several animated properties, including the ACK Animation Series on Cartoon Network and the award-winning telefilm Tripura.

About Cartoon Network

Launched in India in 1995, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s (TBS) Cartoon Network is the number one kids' entertainment channel in India reaching more than 30 million viewers. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library of Warner Bros., MGM and Hanna-Barbera titles, the Network also showcases original series including Ben 10, Ben 10 Alien Force, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, Generator Rex, and The Powerpuff Girls. Currently available in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages, Cartoon Network India is the first international kids' channel to acquire 30 locally produced animated series. Recognized as the resident kids' expert with a 360-degree presence through successful on-air and online presence, ground-events, promotional licensing, product licensing, publishing and DVDs, Cartoon Network continues to be a genre leader.

www.cartoonnetworkindia.com is India's leading destination for kids' online entertainment attracting close to 5.6 million page views. www.cartoonnetworkindia.com registers a new user to its online community every two minutes. Kids can find the largest selection of cartoon character based games, video on demand, and a community site featuring personalized avatars and message boards. (*Source: Omniture Site Catalyst, June 2012).

About Maya Digital Studios Ltd.

MAYA (established in 1996) pioneered the art and technology of Computer Animation and Digital Visual Effects in India. It was founded by the internationally acclaimed filmmaker, Ketan Mehta, renowned film actress, producer and director, Deepa Sahi, and overseen by American visual effect veteran, Frank Foster. MAYA, today, is one of the largest computer animation and visual effects studios in India. The studio has specialized in stereoscopic 3D and offers services for S3D visual effects, S3D CG rendered animation, left and right camera live action cinematography. Maya's work has won several international honours and awards including the IFTA, BAFTA, Pulcinella, FICCI, and GDC.



CONTACT DETAILS
Sandya Jadhav,Marketing, ACK Media, sandya.jadhav@ack-media.com
Devdatta Potnis, Global Distribution Rights, Maya Digital Studios, devdatta.potnis@mayadigitalstudios.com
Pranay Anthwal,Co-Marketing Opportunities, anthwal@gmail.com
Vishesh Verma, Cartoon Network, Vishesh.verma@turner.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ENTERTAINMENT, PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, GROUPS, MEDIA

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