Celebrated Indian author Ruskin Bond’s children’s stories set around the fictional Anglo-Indian character "Rusty" are all set to attract an even wider worldwide audience with a new animation series in the works.
London-based toy manufacturer Giffi Ltd has struck an agreement with Indian kids and family entertainment major Toonz Media Group to co-produce and co-distribute the series and establish the literary adaptation as a global brand. In a joint statement, the companies revealed that the deal struck recently also includes merchandising consumer products based on the characters in ‘Adventures of Rusty’ to build further momentum behind Bond’s popular tales.
Ruskin Bond said: “It is truly delightful journey to see my stories come to life through animation. The thought of reaching a new generation of readers and viewers through this medium is both exciting and humbling.
“I hope this adaptation captures the essence of my story telling and brings joy to audience worldwide.”
His grandson, Siddharth Bond, also expressed his delight at the new project that would bring his grandfather’s beloved stories to a new generation through the added medium of an animated series.
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“This initiative aims to capture the magic of Ruskin Bond’s work, making it accessible to younger audiences and ensuring his stories continue to enchant for years to come. Ruskin Bond and the family is very happy and excited to see his work translated into animation series,” he said.
Ruskin Bond, now aged 90, is based in the idyllic town of Landour in the hills of Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, and has won multiple Indian and internationals awards for his writings – many of them set in the Himalayan setting of his childhood.
Prabit Nair, CEO of Giffi Ltd, said: “Ruskin Bond, the legend needs no introduction. Being part of his legacy is a proud moment for all of us. We are thrilled to collaborate with Toonz on this project and are committed to making this venture a global success.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Sidd Bond for considering us for this project.”
Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer of Toonz Media Group, added: “We are delighted to partner with Giffi to recreate the magic of the renowned author Ruskin Bond’s captivating storytelling in an animated series adaptation.
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“We are confident that the animated TV series combined with the global digital strategy to release short-form series on YouTube and other digital platforms will ensure the success of this venture.”
The pact will involve Giffi and Toonz collaborating on a short-form animated series, which will initially be released on digital platforms, followed by YouTube and other distribution channels.
*Info: Ruskin Bond
