The mischievous Mowgli and his jungle friends, including his bear companion Baloo, will once again be reincarnated on the small screen. This time in a high-definition television series and TV feature format.
DQ Entertainment (DQE), a Hyderabad-based animation, gaming and entertainment company, is developing the 100 per cent home-grown 52-episode animated series and a 60-minute TV feature of Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel The Jungle Book, which will explore the various escapades of Mowgli and his friends through a dramatic, funny and fast-paced narration.
“The project, estimated to be at $12 million (approximately Rs 60 crore), will be funded through pre-sales and co-production deals across the globe. The co-production is led by DQE with majority global distribution rights including TV and all platforms such as home video, video-on-demand, publishing, merchandising and licensing with a multi-million dollar production budget being co-produced by Germany’s broadcaster ZDF and its distribution and licensing arm ZDF Enterprises (ZDF-E). DQE will subsequently also create a TV special of 60 minutes based on the TV series along with the first season of 52X11 minutes to be delivered by 2010,” a company spokesperson said here on Monday.
ZDF and ZDF-E will be the co-producers and have editorial and distribution rights for Europe (excluding French, English and Irish territories), West Asia and Latin America. TF-I Broadcasting and TF-I Enterprises, the distribution and licensing arm of France-based TF-I, have also joined hands as French partners.
“London-based NBC Universal has been roped in for distribution of home video in territories such as UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Japan, while it is in advance negotiations for other territories as well,” the spokesperson added.
The Jungle Book TV series’ stories unfold interesting tales of Mowgli the man cub, raised by a pack of wolves in the tropical jungle of Seeonee. Mowgli’s world includes his friends Baloo (a wise old bear who is his mentor), his best friend Bagheera (panther) and sometimes Kaa the python. The stories will also introduce several exotic species of animals, the ruins of Indian royal forts, temples, waterfalls and the Waingunga River. The series will also portray Mowgli’s journey to the village where he originally came from and will have stories of his encounters with the human species.