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A self-confessed fan of Tom And Jerry, Ajay Devgn is hoping Toonpur Ka Superrhero succeeds at the box office when it releases in cinemas on December 24. Not only because it will add to the hits this year, but also because it could turn the tide for the better for animation professionals in India. “If the film works, it can create one lakh jobs for animators in our country,” he asserts.


The actor recalls director Kireet Khurana showing some portions of Toonpur… to the producer of Who Framed Roger Rabbit when he was in the city. “He was impressed that such high quality animation could be done in India. So the film’s success can see more of our animation artists getting jobs from the global market.
Also, the increasing demand for animators will see more and more people entering this field,” Devgn explains, adding, “Our animators are not paid at par with those abroad. If someone in Hollywood is paid equivalent of Rs 1 lakh, our animator is paid barely R 20,000. That’s why the success of Toonpur will ensure more jobs and higher pay for our animators.”
Point out to him that many of our animation films are not up to the mark and he concedes. “The problem is that these filmmakers think our kids are stupid. That’s one reason why their movies don’t work. In Hollywood films, the humour is well-balanced, and that’s why they appeal to adults too,” replies the actor.
Devgn questions the reasons why some directors make films that children have grown out of. “The mindset has become such that animation films are only meant for children. That’s not the case with filmmakers in Hollywood. That’s why they also appeal to adults, like a Despicable Me,” the actor observes.
He further emphasises that the exposure today’s children have to the world at large is a lot more than his generation had during their childhood days. “Today’s kids ask questions that sometimes leave us fumbling for answers. So we can’t afford to take our children audience for granted anymore,” he reasons.
Interestingly, just like the animators, the actors too had to work hard on their performances. “It’s not easy acting in a green room, reacting to characters that are not around. And it’s even more strenuous doing the fight and action sequences. More so because we had to retain that intensity throughout, as if we’re actually fighting with someone,” he says.
Devgn, who’s booked next Diwali for his fourth consecutive festive release, is optimistic about making his mark this Christmas too. About clashing with Farah Khan’s Tees Maar Khan on the same day, the actor reiterates, “When you know the film is good, you consider not just the weekend, but also the whole week.”