News Broadcasting
Hanuman goes animated; series to launch next December
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Toonz Animations has announced that it will launch its second home production, an animated series called Adventures of Hanuman on Cartoon Network next year.
The series on Ramayana’s monkey-warrior Hanuman will hit the television screens by December 2004 and will be shown in 13 half-hour episodes, according to a company release.
Toonz Animation CEO Bill Dennis was quoted in the release as saying that full production of the series will begin by December 2003, and that it will take place completely in-house at Toonz Studios in Thiruvananthapuram.
Dennis mentions that the estimated cost for the entire series would be under $1 million.
The Adventures of Hanuman takes a unique journey into modern mythology while paying homage to traditional legend, the release specifies. Toonz creative director Atul Rao is the story editor and creative producer for the series. The four writers who penned the script were selected after a special training on creative writing.
“In this series, the immortal Hanuman lives today, retaining all his legendary powers. As Hanuman’s new adventures continue in the 21st Century, each and every story bridges the gap between ancient mythology and the modern world,” the release quotes Rao as saying.
Talking on the technology of blending 2D and 3D animation in this series, Rao says, “3D effects are being used as a tool to enhance the cartoon.”
Dennis explains that while developing Hanuman’s character the primary importance was to keep the integrity of the character intact. “We are confident that Hanuman will be a bigger hit that Tenali Raman. West gave us men powers like Spiderman, Superman and He-Man, India gives them Hanuman in return.”
Toonz is also holding talks with producers to market Hanuman in the US and European markets, Dennis informs.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
