NEW DELHI: Padmalaya Telefilms Limited (PTL) is gearing up to air a 52-episode 22-minute flash animation series on Zee TV, scheduled for early 2004. The serial, titled Bheema Keema, is being targeted at the urban and semi-urban 'Hinglish' language speaking kids of the country. The series is being planned for Sundays during the primetime slot.
 

Bheema Keema is a concept targeted at eight to 15 years olds. The main highlight of this serial is that it will be the first Indian animated television serial of 52 episodes showcasing on Zee TV, says Rajiv Sangari, vice-president, PTL and head of Zee Institute of Creative Animation (ZICA).

Bheema Keema is about two main characters, positioned as smart kids facing challenges and adventures in day-to-day life. The other secondary characters are Happy Singh and Chichi, the side-kicks, Pummy the pet dog and Dr. Kamal, a cranky genius scientist. The scripts and treatment has been conceptualised as per the lifestyle of the target audience.

Since these semi-metro kids have access to all the latest gizmos and gadgets, and they often fantasize to do something adventurous, mischievous and sporty in real life, they are attached to such concepts on television through which they can relate themselves directly, says Sangari.

PTL through its own animation division ZICA is gearing up for the bigger projects. As there is also a huge demand for skilled animation in the country, and very few trained animator available in the industry, to bridge this gap PTL has its own Animation training division, ZICA Training Academy, the only training institute that develops all the areas of an artist right from drawing skills to 2D and 3D Animation. Thus preparing the new breed animators for full-fledged production, says Sangari.

PTL has worked in the local market mainly for Zee Telefilms, including television commercials for Zee News and Esselworld, and television channel packaging for premier channels in DTH for Zee.