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Viacom18 to turn Motu, Patlu to movie stars

Aided by aggressive marketing, the 3D stereoscopic movie will be released in over 700 screens across India.

The small screen to silver screen journey is always considered an evolution in India, and many actors and stars have gone through this transition. But this time, it is the turn of 'lotpot' comic characters who've established themselves as the television rating rulers in the kids genre - Motu and Patlu, to have a theatrical release.

Viacom18 to turn Motu, Patlu to movie stars

Viacom18 Motion Pictures, the movie studio owned by media conglomerate Viacom18, and the network's kids brand Nickelodeon have joined hands to create a movie based on the channel's popular characters. Viacom18 plans to aggressively market the animation movie produced by 'Maya Digital Studios'. The distribution team of the network will back the marketing initiatives with a pan India release on over 700 screens. The 3D stereoscopic movie 'Motu Patlu Kings' will be released in Hindi and Tamil on 14 October, 2016.

Viacom18 to turn Motu, Patlu to movie stars

"An interesting confluence of two major developments has led to Motu Patlu's silver screen debut. Firstly, the animation industry in India is rapidly evolving with a growth rate of 13.8 per cent, with over 15000 professionals working to create content for industries across the globe. Secondly, with an estimated 400 million kids in the country today, the kids category is the third largest in the Indian broadcast sector, after the GECs and movies categories, with a sizeable headroom for growth in terms of both viewership and revenues," asserts Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18.

Viacom18 to turn Motu, Patlu to movie stars

Nina Elavia Jaipuria, business head, Kids Entertainment, Viacom18 adds, "We have created a vibrant ecosystem around the Motu Patlu franchise that keeps growing in scale and reach by the day. From being the leading show across the kids category on television and digital; creating brand licensing opportunities across product categories, curating a great merchandising line, to now taking the franchise to the silver screen, our endearing Motu Patlu have further deepened and strengthened our bond with kids across the country.

Viacom18 to turn Motu, Patlu to movie stars

Ketan Mehta, chairman & managing director, Maya Digital Studios feels that the animation industry which is still at its infancy might leapfrog to a new level after this theatrical release. He adds, "The launch of Motu Patlu King of Kings is a big step for the animation industry at large. Given that Motu Patlu is the most popular kids' brand in the country today, we were inspired to create this magnum opus suitable for the big screen. This is a film that will be driven by children, but one that will be equally enjoyed by adults."

Most kids spent their 2016 summer vacation enjoying the tales of 'Bagheera' and 'Mogli' which helped Disney to gross over 243 crore rupees from the Indian market alone for its 'Jungle Book'. It now remains to be seen if the winter break brings in similar success for Viacom18, and its made-in -India animation film 'Motu Patlu Kings'.

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