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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

AI’s Maharaja smiles joyfully

All 30 grounded aircrafts now fly Mumbai : Air India’s Maharaja is all pleased as punch at 80. After years of huge costs and efforts, the last of the grounded 30 aircraft – inherited by the Tata Group during the privatization in Jan. 2022 – is now resurrected fully and took to the skies gracefully on Monday.   The aircraft is the gleaming VT-ALL, a Boeing 777-300ER, that was gathering grime since February 2020, and becomes the final among the two-and-half dozen aircraft that have been revved...

AI’s Maharaja smiles joyfully

All 30 grounded aircrafts now fly Mumbai : Air India’s Maharaja is all pleased as punch at 80. After years of huge costs and efforts, the last of the grounded 30 aircraft – inherited by the Tata Group during the privatization in Jan. 2022 – is now resurrected fully and took to the skies gracefully on Monday.   The aircraft is the gleaming VT-ALL, a Boeing 777-300ER, that was gathering grime since February 2020, and becomes the final among the two-and-half dozen aircraft that have been revved up and revived in the past few years, AI official sources said.   It marked a symbolic milestone for Air India itself - founded in 1932 by the legendary Bharat Ratna J. R. R. Tata - which once ruled the roost and was India’s pride in the global skies.   Once renowned for its royal service with the iconic Maharaja welcoming fliers on board, in 1953 it was taken over by the government of India. After years of piling losses, ageing aircraft, decline in operations and standards – almost like a Maharaja turning a pauper - it returned to the Tata Group four years ago.   This time it was not just the aircraft, the brand and the deflated Maharaja coming into the large-hearted Tata Group stables, but a formidable challenge to ensure that the airline could regain its old glory and glitter. Of the total around 190 aircraft in its fleet were 30 – or 15 pc – that had been grounded and neglected for years.   At that time, the late Ratan N. Tata had directed that all these valuable aircraft must be revived as far as possible and join the fleet. Accordingly, the VT-ALL, languishing at Nagpur for nearly five years, was ‘hospitalized’ at the Air India Engineering Service Ltd., its MRO facility in May 2025.   New Avatar Then started a thorough, painstaking nose-to-tail restoration of an unprecedented scale, in which over 3000 critical components were replaced, over 4,000 maintenance tasks executed, besides key structural upgrades like the longeron modification, engines, auxiliary power units, avionics, hydraulics, landing gears and almost every vital system was rebuilt or replaced.   After the repairs, the old aircraft was reborn, under the gaze of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and technical assistance from Boeing, and the new ‘avatar’ jetliner emerged with the highest global safety standards.   The aircraft cleared all the rigorous checks, a successful test flight, earned the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate and then made its maiden commercial flight from Monday, March 16 – after a wait of six years.   Sturdy Fliers Created in 1946 to become an instant global icon, the Air India’s mascot Maharaja now sports a youthful and chic look, a welcome with folded hands, closed eyes, featuring a bejewelled turban, stylish jootis, and a textured kurta in Air India’s new colours. He is prominently visible at various touch-points in a flyer’s journey, such as First Class, exclusive lounges, and luxury products.   Today, he commands a mix fleet of around 190 narrow and wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft like : A319, A320, A320neo, A321, A321neo, A350-900 and B787-8, B787-9, B7770200LR, B-777-300ER. With the merger of Vistara and agreements signed for 10 A350 and 90 A320 aircraft, the Maharaja’s fleet is slated to soar to some 570 in the near future.

The Future Animation Creative Hub of the World

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Animation Creative Hub

India, long celebrated for its rich cultural tapestry and ancient heritage, is now increasingly making waves in a less-discussed arena - animation. Once merely an outsourcing destination for global animation and VFX projects, the nation is now evolving into a vibrant creative powerhouse. India is transitioning from being a low-cost service provider for international studios to a burgeoning hub for high-quality original animated content. The rise of independent animators, a proliferation of domestic film festivals, and the increasing sophistication of homegrown studios are key to this transformation.

The Indian animation industry began to gain momentum in the 1990s, primarily as an outsourcing solution for Western studios. With globalization and the demand for cost-effective production, Hollywood giants such as Disney, DreamWorks, and Warner Bros. turned to Indian studios for their technical expertise in 2D and 3D animation, rotoscopy, and VFX, handling the labour-intensive aspects of production for both blockbusters and critically acclaimed works.

While outsourcing was crucial for growth and offered valuable experience to Indian animators, the industry was often viewed as a back-office operation focused on external client demands rather than original content. But today, increased access to affordable technology, enhanced skill sets, and burgeoning confidence among Indian animators are creating fertile ground for original animated narratives. Indian studios and independent creators are crafting stories reflecting the country’s unique cultural narratives, moving beyond the outsourcing model to produce feature films, TV series, and short films with global appeal.

A new wave of small, agile, passionate independent studios is emerging in India, pushing creative boundaries and exploring themes that resonate with both domestic and international audiences, emphasizing a distinctly Indian perspective over catering solely to foreign clients.

Films such as ‘Kandittund!’ (‘Seen it!’) by Studio Eeksaurus, ‘Return of the Jungle’ by Vaibhav Studios, independent YouTube series like ‘Folktales of India’ by Trip Creative, and fresh student films like ‘Maatitel’ by Govinda Sao are making waves globally. These successes illustrate that Indian studios are capable of developing high-quality, globally relevant content originating from India.

While India has long been a hub for animation outsourcing, it is also becoming a significant player in the VFX sector. Studios like Prime Focus, Red Chillies VFX, and Technicolor India have contributed to the visual effects of some of the biggest blockbusters in recent years with Indian VFX houses competing on par with the best worldwide.

Moreover, Indian films are increasingly becoming VFX-driven spectacles. The ‘Baahubali’ franchise set new benchmarks for VFX in Indian cinema, showcasing India’s ability to rival Hollywood in scale and ambition.

A thrilling development in India’s animation landscape is the rise of original animated films and series that explore contemporary themes and social issues, moving beyond traditional mythological narratives. While epics like the ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ remain popular, animators are increasingly focusing on stories that reflect the diverse fabric of modern Indian society.

The democratization of the industry through digital platforms is empowering indie creators to reach viewers by bypassing traditional gatekeepers. The success of series like ‘Lamput’ marks just the beginning. Studios like Eekesaurus and Vaibhav Studios are crafting emotionally resonant, visually stunning stories that appeal to both domestic and international audiences.

The sector is strengthened by a growing number of festivals and showcases for animated content, such as Anifest, AGIFest, Animela, Chiaff, and Chitrakatha, which provide platforms for independent filmmakers. Additionally, the Animators Guild of India plays a vital role in supporting emerging animators and fostering knowledge-sharing.

Indian animation is gaining recognition at international film festivals, with projects like ‘Bombay Rose’ and ‘Tumbbad’ winning accolades at prestigious events such as Venice and Toronto.

Acknowledging the potential of its animation and VFX industries, the Indian government, along with states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, is implementing policies and financial incentives to support the AVGC sectors. Projections suggest a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29% for the AVGC sector, fuelled by rising demand for original content and technological advancements.

Additionally, educational institutions across India are increasingly offering specialized courses in animation, VFX, and game design. Prominent institutions such as the National Institute of Design (NID), IIT - IDC, MITID, Whistling Woods, and Chitkara Design University are producing highly skilled graduates equipped to contribute to the industry. These programs are arming the next generation of Indian animators with the tools and knowledge necessary to compete globally.

Despite promising developments, India’s animation industry faces obstacles in inconsistent funding, limited distribution channels for indie films, and high production costs, hindering smaller studios. However, a growing ecosystem of festivals and funding opportunities is gradually addressing these issues. As the industry matures, these hurdles are likely to be overcome, enabling India to realize its potential as a global animation hub.

As more Indian stories find their way into global consciousness, the industry will continue to grow, providing inspiration, entertainment, and innovation to audiences everywhere. The world is watching. India is ready to lead.

(The writer is Founder and Creative Director at Trip Creative Services, a multi-award winning communication design house. Views personal.)

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