Filmmaking icon Subhash Ghai has taken a giant leap into animation with the triumphant conclusion of Anamalia, a three-day extravaganza at Whistling Woods International. Hosted by his Mukta Arts banner, the festival galvanized the animation community, focusing on empowering Indian storytelling for international audiences.
Ghai celebrated the event’s finale on Instagram Saturday, sharing photos with distinguished attendees. His caption radiated pride: ‘Whistling Woods is honored to have hosted Anamalia with such passion over three days. We’re committed to advancing animation through our rich Indian stories.’
The lineup boasted animation heavyweights including Neena Sabanani, Anita Karnik, Archana Traez, French Embassy’s Matthew Bejo, Ain Doshi, and Whistling Woods representatives Meghna and Chaitanya. ‘It was wonderful connecting with you all—your support means everything,’ Ghai thanked them publicly.
Beyond celebrations, Anamalia delved deep into animation’s potential. Ghai, speaking to media at the fest, disclosed his debut animated venture: reimagining Kalicharan. ‘This film’s exciting narrative is perfect for animation,’ he said. ‘Kids today need to experience it—it’s theater-worthy and animation-ready.’
Detailing the approach, Ghai noted, ‘We’ll preserve the original storyline but reinvent the visuals and characters for an animated flair.’ This fusion of nostalgia and innovation underscores Ghai’s vision to revitalize classics for contemporary viewers.
Anamalia’s success signals a new chapter for Indian animation, blending cultural heritage with cutting-edge tech. With Ghai at the helm, expect a wave of animated Indian epics to conquer global screens soon.