Startup Stories: The Making Of An Indian Superhero
As Walt Disney said, “First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare,” writes Chhota Bheem creator Rajiv Chilaka.
“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney
I remember watching ‘The Jungle Book’ as a five-year-old. It was my first animation movie and the experience is still vividly etched within me. I found it mesmerising. The movie and the story made a lasting impression on me and its characters never left my mind. I fell in love with animation. Growing up, I often wondered why India didn’t produce animated movies or had its own superhero animated characters.
“That’s the real trouble with the world. Too many people grow up.” – Walt Disney
In 1995, while I was doing my master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Missouri Kansas City, I happened to watch Lion King at a friend’s place. The movie really touched me and I decided that one day I would make a movie like Lion King, one that would be loved by audiences across the world. While I was at UMKC, I discovered that Walt Disney, by whom I am greatly inspired, had spent the initial part of his career in Kansas City. Later on, while working at Miller Nichols Library on the UMKC campus, I chanced upon a few books about Walt Disney. After work, I spent a lot of time studying these books and other art books, including some on animation and film making. Looking back, every moment spent knowing and learning about him, egged me on towards animation.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
After I finished my graduation, I worked for almost three years in the software, telecom and networking industry, but I always felt something was lacking. Finally, I made what would be the biggest decision of my life. I quit my job, sold my car and belongings and enrolled myself in a specialised course in animation at the Academy of Art, San Francisco.
I had made up my mind to set up an animation studio in India and to create entertainment for children. I wanted to follow Walt Disney’s work. The dream of setting up Green Gold Animation was born.
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
After much hardship and struggle, we were ready to go full throttle. The confidence was high, the team had been working on the concept, characters, designs, styles, animatic, stories for the past three years. There was a nervous energy that was flowing in the studio. There was a strong belief and there was no looking back now. An extraordinary animated character was taking shape and a new entertainment-packed show was getting ready to enthrall children in India... “Welcome, Chhota Bheem from Dholakpur.”
I had goosebumps the day Chhota Bheem went on air for the first time on television, it was April 6, 2008. We had realised our biggest dream.
“First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare.” – Walt Disney
By 2018, it had been ten years since Chhota Bheem had debuted. Ten long years since the brand has taken the Indian cartoon world, the Indian animation industry and the brand licensing fraternity by storm, proving everyone that all you need is a great concept, a solid storyline, an adorable character, and a never-say-die attitude to create magic. No one had thought that Chhota Bheem would become a phenomenon in India and would take on the world someday. The team and I have lived those exciting moments again and again…
“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney
As 2019 has turned into 2020, and as I look forward, Chhota Bheem completes 277 episodes, 27 TV movies, and 4 theatrical releases. ‘Mighty Little Bheem’ our latest global show has started its second season. Kids across 190 countries are glued to it and I tell myself... ‘This is the beginning of a new era for Indian animation to create new shows and entertainment, which will tell the world how original concepts can become, wonders.’ It’s time to dream big and make Green Gold shine in the world of animation.
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney
Rajiv Chilaka is Founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation.
The views expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of BloombergQuint or its editorial team.