Writer: Janak

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Watch this if you liked: “Space Jam”, “Looney Tunes Back In Action”, “Raju Chacha”

As Bollywood biggies Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan are focused on bringing real superhero films to India, Ajay Devgan does a superhero act for kids by appearing alongside cartoon characters. Touted as India's first motion picture combining live-action with animation, "Toonpur Ka Superhero" (Town Superhero Called Toonpur) tells the story of Aditya (Ajay Devgan), a successful actor who is married to Priya (Kajol Devgan) and lives a perfect life but is a failed father in front of his kids. Aditya wants to redeem himself in the eyes of his children and be their superhero. When opportunity comes knocking on his door, he gets kidnapped by his son's favorite cartoon characters called Devtoons of Toonpur, who wants him to fight the tyrant gang name Jagaru and his Toonasurs, to restore democracy in Toonpur ("Space Jam", anyone?). Aditya happily agrees to it.

Ajay Devgan did an excellent job in the film and his real-life wife Kajol equally deserves a pat on the back as well. Joining the family after 18 years, Kajol's mother Tanuja appears alongside her daughter and her acting was decent. Most parts of the film are done with the animated characters so the film did not require a huge star cast. The rest of the actors did a wonderful job and the cartoon characters are well presented as well.

Director Kireet Khurana did a wonderful job at creating an entertaining film for the kids with the combination of animation and live-action. It takes viewers to a fantasy world for sure! The technical values of the film are brilliant and the screenplay is well carved to the fantasy genre. The film is not monotonous which is good as the first and second half are well paced.

Cinematography wise, the film proves that the Indian film industry is self sufficient with the requisite technology and technicians. Nirmal Jani gave some good animatic background of India and some other overseas countries. Although the songs composed by Anu Malik are not that great, at least it provides a good background score for audiences who need a break once in a while throughout the show. Among the songs to note are "Nach Mere Naal" by Master Salim and Alisha and "Baliye" by Hard Kaur and Shaan good.

Overall, an intelligent and decent attempt by Ajay Devgan and his production house to deliver something fresh apart from Bollywood's typical dance/drama films. Given a few more attempts at films like these, the concept of animation might be received more openly. Very few films are worth watching along with family and "Toonpur Ka Superhero" is definitely one of them.

Cinema Online, 28 December 2010