A desi rehash of a Hollywood flick

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Director Kireet Khurana’s Toonpur Ka Superrhero is India’s first live action animation film where the first half seems a drag but the second half keeps you engaged with superb animation skills. Initially the film lacks freshness in its screenplay, it appears more of a desi rehash of Hollywood’s live action animation ’96 film Space Jam.

There is no doubt that debutant director Kireet Khurana has incorporated high technology as far as animation is concerned. However, his choice of the plot could have been better. The film begins with the introduction of the Toonpur and it’s characters. Sanjay Dutt’s voice over lends authenticity to the Toonpur town.

Aditya Kumar (Ajay Devgn) is an action superstar. His son Kabir (Amey Pandya) considers Aditya to be a fake hero because Amey admits that his father’s stunts are done by stunt men. His wife Priya (Kajol) is a Vastu Shastra freak and keeps looking for east direction for any job she undertakes. Aditya suddenly is kidnapped by Devtoons, the inhabitants of the cartoon world, Toonpur. Devtoons are fed up of the constant atrocities done on them by the Toonasurs. Having been impressed by Aditya’s onscreen star image, they kidnap him with the hope that he will save them from the Toonasurs. Having been stuck in a bizarre scenario, Aditya is reluctant at first, but then agrees to help them out. However, all his attempts fail as the Toonasurs are more powerful. How Aditya manages to save the Devtoons and destroy the evil Toonasur king and ends up being a “real” hero is the rest of the film.

Aditya’s introductory scene in the Toon world is something to watch out for. Then there is an assorted mix of cartoon, which are shown as Devtoons. However, the only likeable ones amongst them being Guppi an obvious take on musician Bappi Lahiri and Bolly modeled on the sardar kid from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Then there’s Rubdoot as in a (yamdoot) who can rub off the cartoon characters with his magic stick. Director Kireet Khurana has tried to lend a Bollywood touch by making a few gags on Bollywood characters. Rubdoot tries to ape Shah Rukh Khan in a song. There’s Loveena, who is in love with the superhero. While the first half is average, it is the second half that lends some drama when Aditya’s wife and kids are kidnapped by the Toonasurs. The final part ends in action as Aditya goes into the video game mode to save his family members.

Annu Malik’s music is disappointing. The only hummable number is Tussi jaa rahe ho. Animation work by 2nz Animation, Pixion and Maya Animation Studios is excellent and proves that Bollywood is not far behind as far as animation is concerned.
The chemistry between the husband and wife is missing. But they have managed to surpass this with good performances. Kajol has a minimal appearance in the film.
Tanuja, Raza Murad, Sanjay Mishra, Mukesh Tiwari hardly get a scene each.