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Scripting for animation series is different, you have to push your imagination, says Motu Patlu writer Niraj Vikram

Niraj Vikram, writer of Motu Patlu talked with APN News and shared how working in the animation industry is kinda different than scripting for live-action shows.

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4 years ago

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niraj vikram
Niraj Vikram is currently writing for Motu Patlu. He has 2-3 projects lined up including Pandavas for Pogo.

The animation industry in India has witnessed a considerable amount of growth in the last few years, especially the cartoon series. Some of the most popular animated cartoon series like Motu Patlu, Dabangg, and Gattu Battu have dominated the cartoon industry and notably, this industry has become the best medium of creative expression these days. Content preferences among kids have changed over the years.

While live-action television shows ruling the Indian entertainment industry for a long time, these animated series created a strong impression in recent years. The influence of animation is growing every day in India. But animating shows does not only mean good illustrations but also a captivating story and close attention to details.

We always chase people who are on camera but the real heroes are actually those who are behind the camera, who infatuate the viewers with their writing. And one such person is Niraj Vikram, the man behind the stories of India’s most popular animated show Motu Patlu, who works round the clock to connect with the kids to bring the best each time.

In a conversation with APN News, Neeraj Vikram shared how writing for animation shows is different from scripting for live-action shows.

Motu Patlu was already a popular franchise of Lotpot Comics and when we asked him how he felt when he was approached for this show, he said “I was really excited to write for Motu Patlu. Lotpot Comics is one of our favourite comics and we’ve grown up reading it. So, when I was approached for Motu Patlu, I was thrilled and ecstatic.”

Talking about the responsibility to maintain characters’ legacy, he said, “It’s very important to create the show without retouching the characters. Initially and even now I feel it’s a big responsibility as most of us have already read the comic and we feel connected to the characters. So, the first thing I keep in mind while writing for this show, is the characters’ style, habits and patterns.”

Niraj Vikram has also scripted for Shararat and Son Pari

Before scripting for Motu Patlu, Niraj Vikram had already scripted for big shows like Shararat, Shaka Laka Boom Boom, and Son Pari, and when we asked him how difficult was for him to shift from live-action shows to animation shows, he said, “Animation isn’t monotonous like live-action shows. You can stretch the animation to any level whereas in live-action shows it is a bit difficult to show your creativity as you have to write it according to the storyline. For me, it wasn’t really difficult as I always wanted to be in animation because it pushes your imagination”, he added.

One must write a motion script in accordance with the target audience, and a motion script writer requires a great deal of skill and dedication. Talking about this, he said, “There have been times when I write a certain script but it doesn’t turn out the same way I wanted it. I feel bad sometimes, but I don’t lose hope as I know that shows need to undergo certain production levels and there’s a limited-time delivery.

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Niraj Vikram on Agnipath scheme

Niraj Vikram has also served in the Indian army for five years before entering the world of entertainment. We also asked him about the ongoing protests related to the Agnipath recruitment scheme, he said, “Government must have made the scheme after listing down its pros and cons. Instead of protesting, students need to give it a try. As the government has already said that if you don’t like the scheme, don’t join it. But I feel implementation is a must.”

Motu Patlu’s wax statue at Madame Tussauds

Talking about the achievements he is most proud of, he said “Having Motu Patlu’s wax statues at Madame Tussauds, New Delhi is literally the proudest moment as they are the first Indian animated character to have it installed at the wax museum. Other than this, Motu Patlu is completing its 10 years in October and has successfully completed 1,000 episodes.” He has also won the Best Writers Award in the Kids Choice Award in 2015 organized by Viacom 18.

Niraj is currently writing for Motu Patlu. He has 2-3 projects lined up including Pandavas for Pogo.

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Border 2 box office collection day 12 crosses Rs 286 crore, eyes Rs 300 crore milestone

Border 2 box office collection reaches Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days, putting the Sunny Deol-led film close to the Rs 300 crore milestone.

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1 day ago

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February 4, 2026

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Sunny Deol’s Border 2 continues its impressive run at the domestic box office, edging closer to the Rs 300 crore mark by the end of its second week. The war drama, which hit theatres on January 23, has shown consistent collections since its release.

On its second Tuesday, the film earned an estimated Rs 5.75 crore, taking its total earnings to Rs 286.75 crore after 12 days.

Border 2 box office performance so far

The film matched its Monday earnings on February 3, adding Rs 5.75 crore to its tally. With this, Border 2 has managed to hold firm on weekdays, a sign of sustained audience interest.

The film delivered a robust opening week, collecting Rs 224.25 crore, supported by the extended Republic Day holiday period.

Second weekend boosts collections

The second weekend provided another lift to the film’s box office numbers. Friday saw collections of Rs 10.75 crore, followed by Rs 17.75 crore on Saturday. Sunday emerged as the strongest day of the weekend, contributing Rs 22.5 crore to the total.

Monday, which coincided with Republic Day, turned out to be the film’s highest single-day performer so far, with earnings touching Rs 59 crore.

With its current pace, Border 2 has already surpassed the opening weekend figures of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar.

Border 2 review

In a review, film critic Saibal Chatterjee noted that Border 2 succeeds in highlighting the courage of soldiers while also touching upon their emotional vulnerabilities. The film explores themes of separation, loss, fear, and hope, presenting moments of heroism amid personal struggles.

About the film

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, the film is positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic Border.

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Why Dhurandhar on Netflix runs shorter than its original theatrical cut

Dhurandhar’s Netflix release sparked confusion over its shorter runtime. The difference is linked to muted dialogue and an updated theatrical cut.

Published

6 days ago

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January 30, 2026

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Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.

Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

What caused the runtime difference

The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.

The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.

What viewers noticed on Netflix

Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.

Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.

Is Netflix streaming a censored cut

Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.

Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.

In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.

Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.

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Border 2 box office collection day 1 crosses Rs 30 crore

Border 2 opens to Rs 30 crore on day one, becoming the biggest opener for Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh.

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2 weeks ago

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January 24, 2026

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Sunny Deol in Border 2

Border 2 has made an impressive start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 30 crore on its opening day. The war drama, headlined by Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh, opened to largely positive audience and critical response.

According to industry tracking data, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 32.1 per cent on day one. Night shows contributed the highest footfall, indicating strong word-of-mouth towards the end of the day.

Strong show count and urban traction

Border 2 was screened in nearly 6,000 shows across the country on its opening day. Major centres reported heavy traction, with over 1,000 shows in Mumbai and more than 1,500 shows across the Delhi-NCR region. Trade sources noted that urban circuits played a key role in pushing the film past the Rs 30 crore mark.

The opening performance places Border 2 ahead of Dhurandhar, which collected Rs 28 crore on its first day despite having a similar nationwide show count. Dhurandhar later saw consistent growth over its opening weekend, a trend that Border 2 is also expected to follow.

Career-best opening for key cast members

Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opening-day film in the careers of Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh. For Varun Dhawan, the film marks his first box office success since Bhediya in 2023. Ahan Shetty, who made his debut with Tadap in 2021, has registered his first theatrical hit with the war drama.

For Sunny Deol, however, Border 2 does not surpass the opening records of Gadar 2, which remains his highest-grossing film with a worldwide collection of Rs 686 crore.

Dhurandhar sees slowdown after Border 2 release

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s box office run has slowed following the release of Border 2. The film reportedly earned under Rs 1 crore for the first time in nearly 50 days, reflecting the impact of the new release.

Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 also features Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh in prominent roles.

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