Return of the Jungle

 

Animation, a filmmaking technique in which still images are manipulated to create moving images, is more than just this. It is a form of expression and a way to communicate emotions and stories. It is beyond this; it is an artistic marvel. I am awed by the many ways artists create such wonderful creations. Animation is still perceived as cartoonish and to be viewed by children; however, there is more depth to these movies. They are to be viewed, enjoyed and loved by people of all ages. It is not just about the cartoony way the character moves on screen; it is about capturing its expressions and the way it communicates its emotions, despite being a lifeless 3D model. It is to embrace the life instilled into the character by the hardworking artists who spend countless days and nights bringing their creations to the screen to be cherished. Animated movies, like all others, hold a lot of meaning and hidden values.

I have always loved and admired animated movies, and I am moved by the long-lasting impact they imprint in their viewer's hearts. One such amazing film I had the privilege to watch is “Return of the Jungle” by Vaibhav Studios, screened at the Cannes Film Festival, the International Film Festival of India, and the Mumbai International Film Festival.

You might know Vaibhav Studios as the creators of the Vodafone ZooZoo and Simpu Singh. An Indian studio working tirelessly to showcase the breathtaking quality of Indian artists. Being introduced to this amazing animated world by my father, a member of TASI (The animation society of India). I have had the privilege to visit Vaibhav Studios and experience first hand magic in the making. A homely cosy setting, with creativity all over. As soon as I stepped in the studio, I was filled with admiration, the amount of hard-work, perseveration and dedication these artists put in is truly impeccable. I came out a changed person, adoring and respecting animated movies was never the same, it had increased by 10 folds.

Return of the jungle is an astounding movie by Vaibhav studios. A true feast to the eyes and ears. It is yet to be released publicly however the sheer excellence of this movie has made it win numerous accolades worldwide and I had a chance to watch it through MIFF (Mumbai International Film Festival). I cannot express how overjoyed I was after watching the movie. Set in a quaint Indian setting, the simplicity of the movie is what touched my heart. The story starts with a small group of friends trying to navigate the challenges of school seeking the help of their thaatha (a grandfather). Thaatha using his wits explained then how to face their troubles with confidence and overcome them with friendship, spinning captivating short jungle stories. It is how seamlessly and efficiently these stories affix with the audience and teach important life lessons with ease.

The fabulous direction of the movie made it a smooth transition between clips and never made it feel out of place. A story is as good as its actors and Return of the jungle delivers just that. All the characters either human or animal, have been well thought of and executed to perfection giving everyone equal importance. The element that most connected with me was how precisely all the emotions were expressed in the characters and how easily they seeped into the viewers. I could understand and feel what the characters were feeling just through their expressions, the eyes said it all. It takes the movie experience to a whole another level when you can connect with the story and its characters. 

Sound is the other sensory part where the movie can bond with its spectators. A good soundtrack keeps the audience hooked to their seats and this is exactly what Return of the jungle did. The music in the movie is soul touching, it hits all the right strings. It makes me feel like I’m part of the movie, can’t stop jamming to its beats. Closing my eyes, I can imagine myself with the characters, talking, singing, dancing and playing together. Music and voice change the whole aura of the theatre and I could sense that happening. The voice modulation of the character is spot on, their voice still ringing in my head, pulling me back into the movie. A wholesome experience that I’ll never forget.

The takeaways from this movie are life changing, how a small story can leave a life changing impact. The complex concepts of life, friendship, navigating the difference at school are so easily spun into fun and enjoyable stories making them intelligible even to the youngest of minds. I am wowed by the enchantment of this movie and can’t wait to see more wondrous creations from Vaibhav Studios. Eagerly waiting to tune in to all the melodious songs. Congratulations to the whole team of Vaibhav Studios 🥳🥳