A Film on Taj Mahal by Toonz Animations, Technopark

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, located in Agra, India, is the epitome of the Mughal architecture which involves Islamic, Persian and Indian art styles. Today, it is a world’s heritage site under UNESCO. It was built in the 1600s by the then Emperor Shah Jahan (a Mughal) for his third wife by the name of Mumtaz Mahal; the building stands tall symbolizing the love between the two lovers.

There are plans to immortalize the story behind the construction of the monument through a film named ‘The Making of Taj’. This is going to be an animation film with united collaboration between India and Pakistan.

Toonz Animation India, Pvt. Ltd. is the Indian company in Technopark, Trivandrum, Kerala, which is going to take up the initiative for the same and is already talking to Al Jazeera, the main satellite TV network of West Asia with its headquarters in Doha, Qatar, and the telecom company of Pakistan. The reason for Toonz to do this is because it is interested in tying up with the companies for marketing of the movie.

‘The Making of Taj’ is going to be directed by Shyamprasad, the film maker who won National award for his work; the script for the movie will be written by the well-known Sasi Warrier. At the moment the final touches are being given to the script, and the pre-production preparations are in place for the shooting to begin soon. The film will be produced in Toonz, at the Technopark and the budget put forward for the film is Rs. 20 crores.

The reason as to why the story behind the Taj Mahal is taken for the theme behind the making of the movie is that, though, many may know about the famous monument but very few really know the real story behind the beautiful structure. Toonz will also make sure that it is not a documentary film which is how the story of the Taj is generally shown; it will be a personal narration of the story as seen through a young boy’s eyes.

About 200 professionals in animation are expected to work together to create the animated characters of the film; those working on the project are also expected to bring in an expert in animation from overseas to watch over the production. Also required are foreign actors to speak on behalf of the animated characters and a famous musician for background music. ‘The Making of Taj’ is expected to be released by the end of 2012 or on the Valentine’s Day in 2013.

Both the TV network of Al Jazeera and the telecom company of Pakistan are eager to market the film; the final dealings are still to be completed.

The CEO of Toonz, P. Jaykumar said that it was last year that the movie ‘Gatturo’ was released by Toonz in Latin America and became a success in Argentina as the film has the story of a comic strip of Argentina. It will be shown in Brazil and Mexico soon