Box office collection: '3 Bahadur' mints over 6.5 crore in six weeks

Pakistan’s first animated full-length feature film, '3 Bahadur', is certainly proving to be a hero at the box office.

That's correct! Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy's brainchild has crossed the 6.5 crore mark by the end of its sixth weekend, as reported by BoxOfficeDetail.

'3 Bahadur' box office collections had opened to a good enough start with the film earning 2.03 crore in its first week. Come week two, and the well liked film ensures it maintains its previous weeks earning by again collecting two crore.

The collections started dropping from its third week. However, the figures were still great with 1.38 crore in the third week, 90 lac in the fourth one, 14 lac in the fifth one and 10 lac in the sixth, totaling to a staggering amount of more than 6.5 crore.

Reportedly, the fourth week box office collections of '3 Bahadur' are far better than some of the blockbuster movies across the border like SRk starrer 'Happy New Year' and even Salman Khan's 'Kick'.

The fantasy film would have continued to surprise the movie buffs garnering higher collections at the box office. Unfortunately, with Ramadan, things have slowed down considerably and hence the figures have started to drop drastically.

3 Bahadur becomes highest grossing animated film ever in Pakistan

KARACHI: Pakistan’s first full-length animated feature 3 Bahadur has become the highest grossing animated-film ever to release in Pakistan.

It is truly an exciting time for Pakistani cinema. Over the course of the last year and a half, Pakistani filmmakers have treaded into new and untested waters and unsurprisingly all of them have managed to wow the audience.

First there was Bilal Lashari’s action-thriller Waar, then Nabeel Qureshi’s game-changing comedy Na Maloom Afraad and last but not the least Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s animated movie 3 Bahadur.

Billed as Pakistan’s first animated feature film, the movie is in the midst of a stellar run at the box office and has now become the highest-grossing animated movie in the history of Pakistani cinema.

Previously the record was held by Blue Sky Studio’s Rio 2 which grossed an estimated Rs 4.5 crore but 3 Bahadur has comfortably managed to outdo the Hollywood movie after only three weeks with a box office collection of Rs 4.7 crore up till now.

According to the executive producer of 3 Bahadur Jerjees Seja, the success of the film underlined the fact that Pakistani audiences want to ‘watch their own films’.

“It is really great that a first ever Pakistani animated film has managed to outdo a major Hollywood franchise like Rio 2 in terms of box office,” said Jerjees.

Released in over 35 cinemas the movie has managed to perform well at cinemas in both Punjab and Sindh, with each province contributing 50 per cent to the total box office collection. The film was not released in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

“Although the film did perform well in its first week it has picked up tremendously during the last two weeks,” said Khurram Gultasab, the general manager of the chain of Super Cinemas in Punjab. He identified ‘exams’ as a major reason behind the lesser turnout in the cinemas during the first week.

Released during the highly crowded summer window the movie faced tough competition from other international releases with movies likePiku, Bombay Velvet, Tanu Weds Manu Returns and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

“3 Bahadur was released three weeks ago opposite five other films but despite the stern competition, it is still running in cinemas and is doing remarkable business,” he added.

Box office results and critical response aside the movie has managed to woo audiences of all ages; which according to various stakeholders of the film industry was one of the key factors that have led to the film becoming such a success. “With other movies, like Mad Max: Fury Road, a person would usually go and watch the movie with a friend or two but with 3 Bahadur you have whole families coming in and watching the movies,” remarked Khurram Gultasab.

A few days ago, at the press conference for Moor, Nadeem Mandviwalla had noted how Pakistani cinema had managed to outdo Bollywood with just their first release. “India has made six animated features to-date but none of them have been successful and our first film has become a big hit.”

The success of 3 Bahadur comes as a welcome sign for a number of animation studios which have emerged within the country and shown an interest in animated feature films.

Musician, Haroon who heads the animation company Unicorn Black, which has produced the TV show Burka Avenger, said that as a person belonging from the same industry it was heartening for him to see that such content was being made in the country and was hopeful more people would follow suit.

“The stuff that Waadi Animations has done is high-quality and I am sure that we would be making world-class content in the near 

Jerjees Seja seconded Haroon’s notion saying that the first step is always the hardest and considering that it has yielded great results other people would also start showing an interest in this genre of filmmaking.

With 3 Bahadur only going from strength to strength the makers of the film have already provided themselves with a cushion given that they intend to release a sequel by December next year.

Who knows they may end up creating one of Pakistani cinemas first-ever animated franchises?

Voices behind ‘3 Bahadur’

KARACHI: 

If acting isn’t a piece of cake, then voiceovers are certainly not a cakewalk. Imagine this. Your body is tied up and you have to project the required emotions just with your voice. That’s how many artists describe the art of doing voiceovers. As the country’s first animated feature film 3 Bahadur gains recognition across Pakistan, The Express Tribune talks to artists who breathed life into the characters of Deenu, Mangu, Chapta, Pateeli and Baba Balaam.

Veteran actor Behroze Sabzwari is no stranger to the art of voiceover, as he previously lent his voice to Dirtoo’s spy Ghunsunna in Commander Safeguard. According to him, “a lot of hard work and effort goes into” this form of acting, which is harder than acting in person.

He says a major reason why dubbing for an animated-adventure film is more strenuous because of the on-screen characters’ facial expressions. “Animated characters are different from real-life ones. So, you have to adapt to that a little bit,” says Sabzwari, who is the voice behindchowkidar Deenu in the movie.

Contrarily, stage and television actor Khaled Ahmed, the voice of the older version of Mangu, holds that both acting and doing voiceover have their own set of challenges. “In my opinion, it [voiceover] is difficult but not more difficult than [acting], as you can’t use your body gestures to communicate the required emotions,” he says. Ahmed, who teaches voice-related courses at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa), states that voiceover artists are trained enough to ease into the character after seeing it. They get an idea of what sort of voice would complement the character and adapt accordingly.

 In the wake of the release of 3 Bahadur, chances are others will follow suit. Instead of being overly optimistic about the future of the animated film industry in the country, the voice artists choose not to look ahead in the future for now. They feel they need to iron out a few kinks, such as writing scripts for animated series, for the industry to progress to its full potential. “What is promising and heartening for me is that some entertainment for children is being done. As for the future, we would have to see how this movie pans out, but I’m hopeful that we would have more animators from our country, who would make such movies,” says Ahmed.

A bahadur attempt

KARACHI: 

“Filmain shilmain chaltee theen, hum ganay shanay gaatay thay, woh raatain ab kahan gayeen, jab pal bhar main so jatay thay …” These lines of a song by Shahvaar Ali Khan epitomise the childhood parents today reminisce about.

This was when iPads hadn’t replaced BMX cycles, going to the circus was a matter of celebration, not concern, maachis bombs were the only explosives kids knew about, and when Captain Planet and Ainak Wala Jin, and not Chota Bheem, were post-homework TV options. Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s 3 Bahadur is an effort to give the children of today a chance to think and dream about local heroes, so that even they have something to reminisce about when they grow up.

Although an animated film is no solution to the bigger socio-political problems we are laden with, it is still a development that children will probably remember… other than the black day when Zayn Malik left One Direction. 3 Bahadur is a step in the right direction and on the right screen; it exceeds our expectations for Pakistan’s first animated feature film, but doesn’t give us anything iconic.

The movie is based in Roshan Basti, a make-believe place where you’ll see Rio and Gluco biscuits and Commander Safeguard plastered on every other wall and billboard. The film starts to seem like a biscuit advertisement in places, especially when one of the three children with super powers sports a Rio cap, but that’s also when some genuinely funny moments save the day. The point where the fattest goon (Pateela) performs a mix of kathak and Bharatnatyam in his free time is humorously depicted. Kudos to Bassam Shazli for smoothly fusing terror and stupidity in Pateela’s character through his voice.

Everything seems to be going fine in Roshan Basti until Mangu (Ally Khan) meets Baba Balaam (Nadir Siddiqui), who disappears after giving Mangu the key to evil powers.  Mangu starts using those powers against the innocent dwellers of the town till Kamil (Hanzala Shahid), Zuhab Khan (Saadi) and Muneeba Hasan sneak into the tower where he lives. There, they are gifted with special powers by a flying object (not clearly identified in the film), and those powers help them make their way through the tower. Thus begins a war of good-versus-evil, adults-versus-children, and the old-order-versus-new-order, with uncle Imran, the fairest of all characters, being the only voice of reason in the basti. Ha, that’s one way of politically enlightening children.

Although the film is well-paced and Shiraz Uppal’s music gives you a delightful entry and memorable exit from the cinema, it is the screenwriting and pacing in general that bite 3 Bahadur in the back. The first major fight sequence in the film is so dramatic and action-packed that it kills your appetite for another one and the culmination of events adds nothing new to the plot. It seems like a repetition of whatever happened in the first half, just with a little more detail and less drama.

The reason why the film fails to give us anything iconic lays in the superficial and ordinary characters of the protagonists.  Although all three characters, Kamil, Amna and Saadi, have clear motivation for what they do, they lack the detail and oomph that’d make them superheroes, those that a child would look up to. On the other hand, the villains are vicious ad more dedicated; this is not only because of them being older than the protagonists and better voice acting, especially Khalid Ahmad’s, but also because they have been written and conceived more comprehensively.

Despite being a surface-level attempt at the art of animation, 3 Bahadur’s post-production team deserves credit for creating a guinea pig that is going to test the courage of other animation houses in Pakistan.

Verdict: 3 Bahadur has funny and frightening moments for children. The use of Urdu language may be the only saviour if they enter expecting something similar to Madagascar or Rio.

Release date for ‘3 Bahadur’ announced

3 Bahadur follows the story of three 11-year-old friends who try to protect their community from various evils. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Waadi Animations announced the release date and unveiled the official poster for their upcoming film 3 Bahadur. The movie is slated to release on May 22 across Pakistani cinemas, stated a press release.

Apart from announcing the release date for the movie, Waadi Animations also revealed that they would be releasing a comic strip series later this month which showcases the adventures of the movie’s primary characters.

The movie which has been made entirely in Pakistan follows the story of three 11 year-old friends Amna, Saadi and Kamil who aim to save their community in the fictional town of Roshan Basti (town of light) from several evils. The movie has been described as “A journey of fighting back, taking charge and finding support and love in the most improbable of places.”

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, the CEO of Waadi Animations, is also the Creative Director of 3 Bahadur with ARY Films extending its expertise in distribution and marketing for the film. Additionally, the original soundtrack for the movie has been composed and produced by accomplished musician Shiraz Uppal.

The animation studio also plans on launching a website dedicated to the movie which would not only provide visitors with information about the movie but also give them access to downloadable content such as images, music and behind-the-scenes videos.

The company is also working on a smartphone video game application for multiple platforms such as Android and iOS.

Waadi Animations launched

3 Bahadur aims at promoting the idea of empowering Pakistani youth. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Karachi-based production house SOC Films has announced its latest collaborative effort with a local film production company titled Waadi Animations. The venture centralises producing animated feature films, short films, television series and commercials.

According to a press release, Waadi Animations’ first project, 3 Bahadur, is already in its production phase and is gearing up for a summer 2015 release. The film is credited with being the first Pakistani HD Urdu-language animated feature film.

Promoting the idea of motivating and empowering Pakistani youth, 3 Bahadur is an action-packed film with a dash of comedy and drama. Made in 3D-animation format, the film promises an engaging story.

“We have such a talented group of animators in Pakistan. I am excited to share their creativity with the rest of the world,” said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who is the Chief Executive of Waadi Animations.

“This partnership will allow us to create animated super heroes and heroines that will make us laugh and cry and, most importantly, entertain. We all have an inner child and we will attempt to nurture the imagination of that child at Waadi Animations.”

3 Bahadur: Going where others fear to tread

3 Bahadur will be catering to the huge demand for entertainment for children in Pakistan. PHOTOS: FILE

KARACHI: 

After producing a number of award winning documentaries, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy (SOC) Films is all set for Pakistan’s first-ever full-length animated motion picture 3 Bahadur. With Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy at its helm, the company seeks to introduce animated features to the Pakistan film industry.

“The movie, 3 Bahadur is not an initiative to join the film industry; it is the creation of a whole new industry altogether,” Chinoy tells The Express Tribune. While discussing the current status of the animation industry in Pakistan, the producer of the film speaks about the kind of talent and creative content similar ventures can produce. “It seeks to give the much-needed attention to our local animation industry that is incredibly talented, yet, undervalued. We want to prove that Pakistan can pull off such content and we hope that this film proves that there is a demand for it as well.”

The film is a work of fiction but it has a very relatable localised theme. Audiences will see streets and characters that look familiar — from graffiti to the crisscrossing wires that we see around local neighbourhoods.

“We have all our foundations in place; fresh skilled talent, an appreciation for the arts, a beautiful country that is bursting with stories,” says the 35-year-old. “With an audience that has grown familiar with the concept of going to the movies over the past five years, nothing can stop us, as long as we maintain this momentum and passion,” she adds.

Having specialised in producing content that highlights social issues, SOC Films has now taken an about turn, not only in terms of content but also in terms of their target audience. The film will be catering to the huge demand for entertainment for children in Pakistan.

“I want them to laugh with our characters, grieve with them, root for them and see themselves in our heroes,” says Chinoy.

Animation is a medium that pushes your imagination to new heights and compels you to escape into another world without hesitation. The film doesn’t promise anything less and will entertain the viewers, by giving them a colourful journey of textures, design and storytelling.

“The film seeks to entertain you; everything else is secondary,” says the producer.  “It will prove to be a pleasant change from the sort of serious content that we are used to seeing and I hope it triggers the production of many more animated films in the near future.”

SOC Films has partnered with ARY Films to create a new production house that will solely produce animated content. “We have our second project in the pipeline at the moment and we hope to expand the number of animated material that comes out of Pakistan,” reveals the international award winner.

Currently, the team is also working on Sound of Sachal, a documentary film about a jazz ensemble in Lahore, trying to revive classical music locally. In addition to that, Sharmeen toldThe Express Tribune that she in the final stages of completing Peacekeepers, a film about Bangladeshi policewomen who are serving as peace-keeping forces in Haiti with the help of the United Nations.

While the SOC team is optimistic about their upcoming film, the verdict whether 3 Bahadurwill have the desired impact on Pakistani cinema has yet to be witnessed. The animated film is expected to release in the summer of 2015.