Walt Disney, Yash Raj enter alliance to make animation movies

World's largest media and entertainment house, Walt Disney, has entered into an agreement with Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studios to create a series of original and exclusive computer-animated feature films. These films will primarily cater to the domestic audience. The development has been announced by Yash Chopra, chairman of YRF Studios, and Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

Says Chopra, “Yash Raj Films and YRF Studios have been at the forefront in live-action feature films for almost four decades. 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 an excellent product. Both companies not only have a common quest for excellence, but also the same culture and traditions.”

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, written and directed by Jugal Hansraj, and will utilise state-of-the-art computer animation technology done entirely in India.