'Crackers' promises new era of animation films: Director

New Delhi, Nov 13: This animation film is different. Instead of mythological characters, 3-D movie "Crackers" is inspired by the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and also pays tribute to pop icon Michael Jackson, says director Anil Goyal who is trying to change the way animation films are made in India.

"My movie is inspired by the Mumbai terror attacks. The first half of the movie is full of song and dance, but after the interval the focus shifts to the terror attacks. Also, through this movie I have paid tribute to Michael Jackson," Goyal told IANS in an interview.

"This movie is for everyone and the script and animated action sequences are so strong that it will keep the audiences glued to their seats," he added.

Made at a budget of Rs.150 million, "Crackers" revolves around four characters -- Roxy, Kate, Bolly and Gopu who are having good time in a summer camp and suddenly they find themselves in the middle of the terror attacks.

"The first half of the story also has a love-triangle. So there is a bit of romance, comedy, emotions and action in it," said Goyal, who is also producing the movie.

This is Goyal's second animation attempt after his debut movie "Icy and Spicy". He is aming high for the growth of the animation industry.

"Not every producer can afford to cast Shah Rukh Khan or Akshay Kumar in their movies. So the best thing is to concentrate on animation industry and make a movie on whatever subject you wish to," said Goyal.

Goyal pointed out that Bollywood producers fear to try different themes in animation movies.

"Bollywood filmmakers are still not confident about creating something unusual or try different themes in animated movies. So they stick to mythological characters that everyone is familiar with and sell it to the people.

"Unlike Hollywood where characters are created in such a way that they remain in the minds of people forever. Look at 'Shrek', 'Ice Age', 'Finding Nemo'. You remember names of each and every character because they were created especially for people," he said.

In India most of the successful animated films like "Hanuman", "Return of Hanuman", "Bal Ganesha", "My friend Ganesha" have been inspired by mythological characters. And "Jumbo" and "Roadside Romeo", based on fictional characters, failed to create any magic at the box-office.

"This is the irony one can't escape. So my attempt is to break this myth and create a platform for good animated movies in India," Goyal said.

"Our animation industry is of world class and we have got so much potential. It's just that it has been ignored. But I am sure if more animated movies will come out, things will be different," he added.