Malayalam animation flick planned

City-based production house Increation, in association with Sai Raksha Entertainment and Indiatales, is lining up Malayalam's first full-length animation movie "� Manikantan.

Talking to reporters here, US-based producer of the film, Nalin Singh, said the animation movie would present the story of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala, also known as Manikantan, using a variety of talent from the world of animation.

"We plan to spend more than $1 million on the production of the movie, which would get kicked off on November 7. The film will hit the screens in a year's time," he said, adding that the 90-minute movie would be supported by merchandising and other publicity events.

Singh and his team have signed maestro Ilayaraja for composing all the five songs for the film. "Besides, we have roped in the biggest names in the Malayalam film industry such as national award winner Suresh Gopi, Thilakan, Siddique, Sukumari and others, to lend their voices for the characters in the movie," director Reji Syne added.

The story of Manikantan, according to the team behind the project, will be narrated as seen through the eyes of a little girl and her pet parrot.

Ruling out using American techniques in the making of the film, Singh added that on the drawing board will be take offs from ancient temple murals of Kerala in a bid to give the 2D film a different feel.