After establishing its presence across global awards in 2006 for its unparalleled creations of RANG DE BASANTI and KHOSLA KA GHOSLA, UTV puts on the Winner's hat once again.
This time it was the BAF Awards at FICCI Frames 2007, where UTV Toons created feature film 'Kong - Return to the Jungle' received the best-animated feature award. 'Kong Returns to the Jungle', a 3D feature film, is produced by BKN New Media based in New York and is animated by UTV Toons.
UTV Toons emerged as a titan over 360 entries, which came across 18 countries. Being Asia's biggest entertainment convention, the event was witness to the Who's Who of the Media and Entertainment Industry in terms of personalities as well as the feature films.
The story revolves around the adventures of the main protagonist Kong and his brother Jason. The main crux lies when Kong dies after a fall from the Empire state building and is brought back to life when a young scientist Dr.Lorna Jenkins clones him using DNA from her grandson. Being no ordinary ape the new Kong sprints back being gigantic and primal with increased strength due to the new shared DNA.
Also the enthralling part remains an amazing cyber link that merges Kong and his human brother Jason into one. To be hidden from the cruel world Kong is taken back to Kong Island by the young doctor, but the island is attacked by two evil scientists who intend to cage all the animals and present them in a zoo. Kong once again takes the centre stage as he fights back to protect himself and the other species of Kong Island
Says Jyotirmoy Saha, Senior VP, UTV Toons, 'This award for Kong is a great recognition of non-conventional rendering of CGI Animation. In simple words an amalgamation of creative geniuses and technology and out of the box thinking.'
A sonata of its kind 'Kong Returns to the Jungle' is complimented with original songs and music with 3D feature, which enhances its overall value.
Behind this first achievement for the year 2007 there has been some strategic investment from the media conglomerate in terms of infrastructure and skilled Manpower. UTV toons as the division is known has witnessed an investment of close to Rs. 24 crores on the new animation facility that was built in the year 2006 with 225 workstations running 3DS Max and Maya applications and is supported by a render farm of 350+ processors.
Spanning across 25,000 Sq. feet it has competence in producing 135 minutes of an animation equipped with high definition work in a month for its clients in North America and Europe. The Arsenal also commands an army of award winning Animators, Animation Directors, Technical Staff and Specialty Artists.