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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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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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Housefull 5: Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh wrap filming, movie to release in June 2025

The film is one of the big-budget productions filmed on a lavish cruise journeying from London to France, Spain, and back to the UK.

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Filming for Housefull 5, featuring Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Abhishek Bachchan, has officially wrapped up, as announced by the production team. Housefull 5 is set to hit theaters on June 6, 2025.

Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, known for Dostana, and produced under Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, this fifth installment of the beloved comedy franchise promises a mix of humor and heart.

In an Instagram post shared on Tuesday evening, the studio celebrated the conclusion of shooting with a photo of the full cast. They wrote, “That’s a wrap for Housefull 5! A rollercoaster of emotions, filled with laughter, hard work, and unforgettable memories.”

The film also boasts an impressive lineup, including Fardeen Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Chunky Pandey, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Chitrangada Singh, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma, and Nikitin Dheer.

The Housefull franchise began in 2010 with the original Housefull, followed by three sequels: Housefull 2 (2012), Housefull 3 (2016), and Housefull 4 (2019).

The first photo features a table set with an array of cakes and plates as the cast and crew gather to celebrate a major achievement. The images vividly reflect the lively energy and excitement of everyone involved in the production. The accompanying caption reads, “And that’s a wrap on principal photography for Housefull 5! What an incredible journey it’s been—filled with laughter, more laughter, and then some more. See you at the movies on June 6th, 2025 (sic).”

In addition to Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh, who have appeared in all previous installments, the film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Nargis Fakhri, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Nana Patekar, Chunky Pandey, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Talpade, Dino Morea, Chitrangada Singh, Ranjeet, Soundarya Sharma, and Nikitin Dheer.

Directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Housefull 5 is notably the first in the franchise to reach this filming milestone. It promises to deliver five times the amusement, fun, and comedy of the original. The film is one of the big-budget productions filmed on a lavish cruise journeying from London to France, Spain, and back to the UK.

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Border 2: Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh begin shooting, film to release on Jan 23, 2026

T-Series posted an image of a clapboard from the film’s set on Instagram, marking the official launch of filming.

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The shooting of Sunny Deol’s much-anticipated sequel, Border 2, has officially commenced, sparking immense excitement among fans. The star-studded cast, which includes Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, is preparing to bring action-packed scenes to life on set. The film is set for a spectacular release on January 23, 2026.

Border 2 is produced by an impressive team consisting of Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. It is presented by Gulshan Kumar & T-Series in collaboration with JP Dutta’s JP Films and directed by Anurag Singh. This sequel aims to build upon the legacy of the iconic original while promising a thrilling cinematic experience.

With themes of patriotism and bravery, Border 2 is expected to offer an exhilarating blend of action, gripping drama, and emotional resonance. Anurag Singh, known for directing hits like Kesari, Punjab 1984, Jatt and Juliet, and Dil Bole Hadippa!, will take the helm for this project. The film was announced on June 13, 2024, coinciding with the 27th anniversary of the original Border, and has been promoted as “India’s biggest war film” by its creators.

The long-awaited sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border has begun production, a fact the filmmakers shared on social media. T-Series posted an image of a clapboard from the film’s set on Instagram, marking the official launch of filming.

“The cameras are rolling for Border 2! With Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty leading the way, this Anurag Singh directorial, backed by cinematic legends Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, promises unparalleled action, drama, and patriotism,” the post enthusiastically stated.

Sunny Deol, who starred in the original Border, confirmed earlier this year that he would reprise his role in the sequel.

The original 1997 film, directed by JP Dutta, was a massive success in Indian cinema, showcasing the 1971 India-Pakistan war and introducing audiences to memorable characters, including Suniel Shetty as BSF officer Bhairav Singh. Ahan Shetty will make his debut in the sequel, stepping into his father’s iconic legacy.

“Border is more than just a film—it’s a legacy, an emotion, and a dream come true,” Ahan shared on Instagram. “It’s ironic how life works—my connection to Border began 29 years ago when my mom visited my dad on set while pregnant with me. I grew up surrounded by OP Dutta’s legendary stories, holding JP uncle’s hand, and sitting alongside @nidhiduttaofficial. I never realized how deeply those moments would influence my love for cinema and the Indian Armed Forces,” he reflected.

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Pushpa 2 sets new benchmark with Rs 700 crore Hindi collection, dominates Indian box office

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pushpa 2: the rule crosses ₹700 crore in hindi at the indian box office

The Hindi-dubbed version of Pushpa 2: The Rule, starring Allu Arjun, has achieved an unprecedented milestone by crossing the Rs 700 crore mark at the Indian box office from its Hindi-language shows alone. Directed by Sukumar, the sequel to the 2021 blockbuster Pushpa: The Rise has so far amassed Rs 704.25 crore in Hindi, setting a new record for Indian cinema.

The makers celebrated the achievement on social media, writing:
“Pushpa Raj introduces the 700 CRORE CLUB to HINDI CINEMA 💥💥 The FIRST EVER FILM to collect 700 CRORES in HINDI ✨ #Pushpa2TheRule collects massive 704.25 CRORES NETT in Hindi ❤‍🔥❤‍🔥,” in a post shared on X.

This milestone places Pushpa 2 in elite company, surpassing the previous records set by Hindi-dubbed and original Hindi films. A.R. Murugadoss’ Ghajini (2008) introduced the Rs 100 crore club, while Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots (2010) and PK (2014) raised the bar with Rs 200 crore and Rs 300 crore collections, respectively. S.S. Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion broke further records, entering the Rs 400-crore and Rs 500-crore clubs. Earlier this year, Stree 2 became the first Hindi film to surpass Rs 600 crore domestically.

Box office performance

Pushpa 2 began its theatrical run with a staggering Rs 725.8 crore nett across all languages during its opening week. In its second week, it added Rs 264.8 crore, maintaining strong momentum. The third weekend saw collections of Rs 14.3 crore on Friday, Rs 24.75 crore on Saturday, and a massive Rs 33.25 crore on Sunday. With an additional Rs 13 crore on Monday, the domestic tally now stands at an astonishing Rs 1,075.6 crore nett.

The Hindi version alone contributed Rs 704.25 crore, while the Telugu version added Rs 309.7 crore. Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam versions brought in Rs 54.3 crore, Rs 7.4 crore, and Rs 14.05 crore, respectively.

The plot and cast

Picking up where Pushpa: The Rise left off, the sequel follows Pushpa Raj, played by Allu Arjun, as he expands his red sandalwood smuggling empire. The film also features Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, and Rao Ramesh in pivotal roles.

With its extraordinary box office success, Pushpa 2: The Rule has not only cemented its place in Indian cinematic history but has also set new benchmarks for future films to aspire to.

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