Yash Raj Films, Walt Disney studios to create computer-animated films

Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios has entered into an agreement with The Walt Disney Studios to create a series of original and exclusive computer-animated feature films.

This is the first time both companies are entering in to a co-production venture to produce films in India.

The announcement was made today by Yash Chopra, chairman, YRF Studios, and Dick Cook, chairman, The Walt Disney Studios.

According to Chopra, "Yash Raj Films and YRF Studios have been at the forefront in live-action feature films for almost four decades. Together with my son Aditya Chopra, we have created our own space with the efforts of a wonderful team, both creative and business, and have had the opportunity of producing films that we believe in - films that entertain a large population, as well as the Indian diaspora.

"When YRF decided to venture into the animation space, we felt that an alliance with Disney Studios, the leader in animation, represented the coming together of not just two organisations, but the teaming up of like-minded individuals committed to creating excellent product. Both companies have a common quest for excellence but also the same culture and traditions," he said.

Cook said, "We''re thrilled and honoured to be working with Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra and their talented team at YRF Studios to create exceptional animated films in the Indian language that are culturally relevant for the avid movie-going audiences in India and around the world.

"Animation is a new and rapidly expanding area in India, and the collaboration between Disney and YRF Studios will bring the very best in story-telling and cutting edge technology together as we make wonderful films that appeal to the entire family," added Cook.

This landmark announcement by Chopra and Cook is a first in the field of animation. YRF and Walt Disney Studios will work exclusively to co-produce a series of animation films in the Indian language. Both companies will be equal partners in the venture and will contribute creative, technical and financial support to the project.

Each film under this alliance will be creatively overseen by Aditya Chopra and worked on with an inventive array of leading local talent. The first film to be co-produced in this alliance will be Roadside Romeo, set to release in 2008. The film will be produced by Aditya Chopra and, written and directed by Jugal Hansraj, and will utilise state-of-the-art computer animation technology done entirely in India.