Yash Raj Films, Walt Disney studios to create computer-animated films
12 Jun 2007
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.