Studios here lack vision and budgets for animation – Nikhil Advani

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart… While for most of us, our D(iwali)-Day celebrations have come to a halt, Nikhil Advani's D-Day is gaining momentum by the day in the scorching heat of Ahmedabad in Gujarat where he's filming his first action drama with Arjun Rampal, Rishi Kapoor, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Irrfan Khan, Shruti Hassan and Huma Qureshi. An ensemble that big, this one's a sure firecracker when it hits the big screen next year. In his decade long career he has directed five films, but then again he has experimented with drama, comedy, action and animation. Now that's a feat not many achieved in their short span directing movies. Having said that, Nikhil Advani's Delhi Safari is submitted to the Oscars under the Best Animation Film category, and that makes it India's first in that genre. Like most directors would do – celebrate, Nikhil Advani quotes, "We still haven't been shortlisted. It's an uphill task but yes, we are celebrating the success of Delhi Safari in India." All the way from Ahmedabad, the directors get real into the reel life of animation and its future in India and why this particular genre deserves respect.

How's D-Day shoot going?
D-Day is going very well. I'm excited, super excited shooting in Ahmedabad. This is a pure action movie and action that you haven't seen in India. D-Day is a special film for me with a great ensemble working hard each day. This is a genre that I'm doing for the first time. I like playing with emotions and action. I guess the film will speak for itself once released.

What kind of action movies do you prefer watching?
My favourite action movies have to be films like The French Connection, Syriana, Die Hard, etc. My choice is a bit weird when it comes to action. I like serious and intense action drama.

Delhi Safari is submitted to the Oscars. Has the news sunk in yet?
Thank you so much but I don't think this is the time to rejoice. Delhi Safari is just the submission to the Oscars. We still haven't been shortlisted. It's a bit premature to talk about our success at the Oscars.

So you are saying you haven't celebrated yet?
No! As far as animation films in India are concerned, yes, we are celebrating because Delhi Safari has been released at this scale in India and then to do well is quite something. I hope the studios understand that we are allowed to send minimum one film formally under any nomination from our country but that should not stop studios from sending other films.

I feel India is too premature when it comes to animation movies. What's your take?
India isn't premature when it comes to animation. But look at the budgets with what Pixar works with and what we work with. We have 3 million dollars and they work with 30 million dollars. That's the difference. Look at our cinema – Barfi, Paan Singh Tomar, Kahaani, English Vinglish and Vicky Donor. These are films made in a certain budget and look at the business it has done.

But Pixar and Disney films do fairly well when they are released in India.
Films like Madagascar, Ice Age, etc have released in India and people have flocked to the theatres to go see it. The problem is that the studios here neither have the vision nor the budget to pump in enough money for an animation film. They think there is no market for it. Delhi Safari has proved to be the benchmark now. Yes, we aren't the same quality as a Wall-E or Toy Story but it's the best from India so far. I always believe that if the film is good and it has the right calling, it'll be a success. Delhi Safari found its footing. The film stood every test possible. It was the word of mouth that made it a success.

What sort of support do you see the studios giving to animation movies after Delhi Safari?
Studios should now back such animation movies like they have backed any Hindi commercial movie. Of course, they shouldn't pump in money like what they do for Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore, etc but a fairly decent push so that animation films survive in India. Give animation films some respect.

What's your favorutie animation movie?
The first twenty minutes of UP is mind blowing. I felt I wasn't watching an animation film. It was so bloody emotional. It's my favourite animation movie.

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more