Planet of Manimals - the Jungle Book retold

In the mystical Mahakaal Forest, where animals have been transformed into manimals by Lord Pasupati's blessing, a newborn prince is about to be sacrificed by the evil king Kansasura as there’s a prophecy foretelling that the child will lead to the king’s downfall and ultimate demise. But at the last moment the boy is rescued by a brave maid and placed on a lotus flower on the river. The maid is killed but the infant is saved and carried by the river to this enchanted forest called Mahakaal.

There, he is found by Raksha, a loving wolf mother who has lost her own cubs. Despite resistance from the Jungle Parliament, including the fearsome Sheru, Raksha adopts the human child, naming him Mowgli. Sheru hates the manimals and the reigning king, as he’s the legal heir to the throne of the forest but it was snatched from him because he wasn’t ‘strong’ enough.

Under the watchful eyes of Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear, and Jataayu the eagle, Mowgli grows up learning the ways of the jungle. But Sheru, driven by a thirst for power and hatred of Mowgli - for it is because of Mowgli that he had been sent on a vanvas for 14 years - returns to Mahakaal, more powerful, cunning, vicious and evil, and attacks and slaughters the king, ushering in a reign of terror.

Mowgli, realizing he is different and targeted by Sheru, seeks guidance from an ancient Bodhi tree - Mowgli has the option to run away but he wants to face and fight Sheru! The Bodhi tree advises Mowgli to embark on a perilous journey through the Janjaal Mayajaal, which consists of mystical, hellish portals which if conquered can lead to higher consciousness and superior powers. Only by conquering these trials and cleansing his mind can Mowgli hope to defeat Sheru and restore peace to Mahakaal.

But will Mowgli succeed in this daunting quest? Will Raksha and the Fabulous Trio survive Sheru's wrath? What role will Kaa, the enigmatic snake play in Mowgli's journey? And will peace ever return to the troubled Mahakaal Forest?

This is a inspiring, thrilling, action packed, twisted story of good vs evil, manav vs danav, dark vs light, life vs death, possible vs impossible, a determined boy vs a ferocious Tiger.

  • Soumitra Ranade
    Director
    What Makes Albert Pinto Angry? ; Jajantaram Mamantaram - Land of the Little People ; Sapatnekar’s Child ; Hamara Hero Shaktimaan ; Bandbudh aur Budbak ; Karadi Tales ; Mad Mad Murder ; Are You Alright Afghanistan?
  • Firuzi Khan
    Producer
  • Ashish Bhatnagar
    Producer
    A Death in the Gunj ; Lalla
  • Rohit Gahlowt
    Writer
    Fired, Fukrey, Boyz, Fear Flies, Savdhaan India
  • Shripal Morakhia
    Writer
    Fired ; Naina
  • Ashok Banker
    Writer
    Prince of Ayodhya- Ramayana series, King of Ayodhya,
  • Upendra Limaye
    Key Cast
    "Sheru Khan"
    Jogwa ; Animal ;
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Genres:
    Adventure thriller
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 21, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    35,000,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Soumitra Ranade

Soumitra Ranade
soumitra@paperboatstudios.co
+91 9821070395
. Education
Post-Graduate Diploma in Cinema
Film and TV Institute of India. Pune. 1991
Specialization: Film Direction
Graduated with highest honors (Rank #1)
Diploma Film:
The Apostate – 1991
Writer-Director
Short Experimental – 35mm - Live Action - 28 mins – English
https://vimeo.com/279670013
Oberhausen Short Film Festival 1992
London Experimental Film Festival 1992
Bachelor of Fine Arts (Applied Art)
Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Arts. Mumbai. 1984
Specialization: Illustration & Graphic Design
Final Year Project:
A publicity awareness campaign on unorganized and bonded labour in India
Gold Medal and Best Posters Award: J.J. Annual Exhibition 1984
Ashok Jain Awards for National Awareness Advertising Exhibition, various Indian cities, 1984
High School
India School Kabul, Afghanistan. 1979
. Filmography
Feature Films
Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyun Aata Hai? - 2019
What Makes Albert Pinto Angry?
Producer-Writer-Director
Live-Action - 93 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles
Audience Award: Singapore SAIFF 2017
Opening film: Jagran Film Festival Mumbai 2019
Theatrical release all over India: 2019
Now streaming on Netflix and Amazon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXtMTzoWO1U
Bombay Rose – 2019
Animation Producer
Directed by Gitanjali Rao
Animation - 85 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles
Venice IFF, Toronto IFF, London IFF, Busan IFF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImTUp6HY5ak
Ghode Ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon - 2018
VFX and Animation Supervisor-Animation Studio
Directed by Anamika Haksar
Live Action/Animation – Hindi with English Subtitles
Sundance FF, Toulouse FF, MAMI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M23_03Gk4OA
Goopi Gawaiyaa Bagha Bajaiyaa - 2013
The World of Goopi and Bagha
Writer-Executive Producer-Animation Studio
Directed by Shilpa Ranade
Animation - 75 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles
Theatrical release all over India 2019
Toronto FF, Dubai IFF, Busan IFF, Mumbai IFF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_mhF1i61Mc&t=17s
Alibaba and 41 Thieves - 2010
Executive Producer-Writer-Designer-Director
Animation - 90 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles – Post-production
http://paperboatstudios.co/alibaba
Jajantaram Mamantaram – 2003
Land of the Little People
Executive Producer-Writer-Director
Live-Action/VFX – 35mm - 1.54 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles
Theatrical release all over India: 2003
After 15 years still one of most popular children’s film on Satellite TV
Now streaming on Amazon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-vW9fFvSNk
Sapatnekarache Mool - 1997
Sapatnekar’s Child
Producer-Writer-Director
Experimental Live-Action – 16mm - 100 mins – Marathi with English Subtitles
https://vimeo.com/279671290
Kabuliwala – (pre-production)
Man From Kabul
Producer-Writer-Director
Animation - 75 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles
https://vimeo.com/221087621
Password: Boat@1234
. Filmography
Tele Films
Hamara Hero Shaktimaan - 2011
Director–Animation/VFX Producer
Superhero – 75 mins – Hindi
Pogo Channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cnWgybT6gc
Vakratunda Mahakaya - 2008
Director
Social Drama – 75 Mins – Marathi
ETV Marathi
Yakeen Mano - 2006
Director
Horror – 90 Mins – Hindi
Zee Network
. Filmography
Tele Serials
Fukrey Boyzz – 2019-20
Animation Producer
Adventure - 23 mins X 52 – Hindi
Discovery Kids
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2VD56CALQ
Bandbudh aur Budbak – 2016-17
Series Director–Animation Producer
Adventure - 23 mins X 52 – Hindi
Zee Network, Discovery Kids, Cartoon Network
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u9Cigtpoq0
Indian Telly Awards for 'Best Show Packaging' 2015
FICCI BAF Award for 'Series of the Year' 2016
Karadi Tales - 2009
Animation Producer-Director
Moral Tales - 23 mins X 26 – Hindi and English
Disney India and Zee Network
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pYR1vsCSMc
Mad Mad Murder - 1999
Writer–Director
Murder Mystery – 50 Mins X 26 – Marathi
ETV Marathi
. Filmography
Documentaries
Sacrifice (under production)
Producer-Writer-Director
90 mins - English
Khoob Asti Afghanistan? – 2007
Are You Alright Afghanistan?
Producer-Writer-Director
59 mins – English
IFFLA, River-to-River, MIFF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0ICtteF_Ds
Kumar Talkies - 1999
Co-Producer
Directed by Pankaj Rishi Kumar
76 mins - Hindi with English Subtitles
Berlin IFF, Rotterdam IFF, Asian Studies Film Festival, Zanzibar
Pictures of The Mind - 1995
Exec-Producer-Writer-Director
25 mins / Hindi
Doordarshan
Doctor as Detective - 1995
Exec-Producer-Writer-Director
25 Mins / Hindi
Doordarshan
Ways of Seeing - 1995
Exec-Producer-Writer-Director
25 mins / Hindi
Doordarshan
Till I am Hundred - 1995
Exec-Producer-Writer-Director
25 mins / Hindi
Doordarshan
. Filmography
Short Experimental
Mise-en-Scene
Writer-Director
3 mins – 35mm - English
The Third Night - 2005
Writer-Director
17 mins - 35mm - English
https://vimeo.com/279670519
u;n - 2005
Writer-Director
8 mins – 35mm – English
. Filmography
Short Animation
Birth of Buddha (pre-production)
Writer-Animation Producer
Directed by Shilpa Ranade
5 mins - English
https://vimeo.com/279670949
Naja Goes To School – 1999
Executive Producer
Directed by Shilpa Ranade
8 mins - English - Commissioned by Channel 4, London
https://vimeo.com/279983607
Childhood of Krishna – 1997
Executive Producer
Directed by Shilpa Ranade
14 mins - English - Commissioned by S4C, Wales
. Photography
Varanasi Walk – 2018
The Folly, Amethyst, Chennai
London Walk - 1999
Sakshi Art Gallery, Mumbai
https://www.behance.net/gallery/67894299/London-Walk
Religious Architecture in Mumbai - 1998
Chavan Centre, Mumbai
. Painting Exhibition
Chairs - 2010
Solo Show – Oils on Canvas
IDC School of Design, Mumbai
https://www.behance.net/gallery/67892645/Chairs
. Publications
Bhrigu and the Palace of Mirrors - 2020
Writer-Illustrator-Designer
Children’s Novel – Hachette Publications
Varsha’s Varanasi – 2018
Photographer-Designer
Children’s Book - Karadi Tales Publications
https://www.behance.net/gallery/67890807/Varshas-Varanasi
(Password protected)
Gita: The Battle of the Worlds – 2018
Illustrator-Designer
Children’s Book – Harper Collins Publications
https://www.behance.net/gallery/67894043/Gita-The-Battle-of-the-Worlds
(Password protected)
8563 – 2017
Writer
Children’s Book - Karadi Tales Publications
https://www.behance.net/gallery/67945749/8563-One-Story-Four-Endings
(Password protected)
Tak! Tak! – 2016
Writer
Children’s Book - Karadi Tales Publications
https://www.behance.net/gallery/67892441/Tak-Tak
(Password protected)
A Palace in Democracy - Rashtrapati Bhavan - 2011
The official residence of President of India
Photographer-Designer
Architecture and History – Trout Publications
. Work Experience
Art Director – Creative Department - 1984 to 1986
J Walter Thompson (then HTA), Mumbai
Conceptualizing and designing press-advts, brochures, booklets and posters etc. for brands such as Pepsi,
Sunsilk, Philips, Siemens and many others.
Set Designer/Art Director for Theatre Productions – 1985-86
For Writer-Director Satyadev Dubey
Village Wooing – Written by George Bernard Shaw - 1985
Reflection – Written by Mahesh Elkunchwar - 1985
Teen Ekant – Written by Nirmal Verma - 1986
Associate Film Director - 1991 to 1995
Saeed Akhtar Mirza
The Third Voice – Documentary – 1992
Ajanta-Ellora – Documentary – 35mm - 1993
Naseem – Feature Film – 35mm - 1995
. Community Service
For the past several years Paperboat has been involved in creating numerous social impact videos for many
Non-Profit, Non-Governmental Organizations such as World Bank, Dasra, Magic Bus and Dharma Life etc.
These animated/live-action videos are created at no cost or cost prize because it gives us immense joy to be
part of a movement for social change. Some of these videos are:
https://vimeo.com/245150848
https://vimeo.com/207807656
https://vimeo.com/165278188
https://vimeo.com/95363779
. Paperboat Design Studios Pvt. Ltd.
www.paperboatstudios.co
As the Founder, Chairman and Creative Director, I have been involved with the execution of numerous projects
ranging from animated feature films, TV serials and shorts, animated AVs and TV commercials, VFX telefilms,
educational books, story books, mobile apps and games. Based in Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad with a
team of about 250 artists consisting of writers, designers, illustrators, storyboard artists, layout artists,
animators, compositing artists and VFX artists etc., Paperboat over the years has successfully executed
projects for The World Bank, Disney, Zee Network, Children’s Film Society of India, Ogilvy, McCann, Berger
Paints, Tata Motors, Coca Cola, Cadbury, Burger King and many more. Paperboat has also executed VR
projects for Nestle India and Tata.
. Other Accomplishments
- Was invited as a speaker at the Second World Summit on Television for Children, London,
in March 1998. The summit was organized by Nickelodeon, BBC, Channel Four and others.
- Have been on the pre-selection committee for the International Children’s Film Festival of India for
many years.
- Was on the jury of the National Students Film Awards held at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Inst.,
Kolkata 2014
- Have been on the jury of 24FPS International Animations Awards for many years.
- Was presented the Movers&Shakers Award for outstanding work at 24FPS 2017.
- Am a regular External Examiner for student’s projects at IDC School of Design and FTII
- Have conducted many children’s workshops for Bookaroo Festival of Children’s Literature
- Have been on the selection committee as subject expert for faculty interviews at FTII, 2018

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Director’s Statement by Soumitra Ranade

Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book has been an inseparable part of our childhood—first as a short story, then through its many beloved animated adaptations. As children, we were enchanted by its mesmerizing songs and breathtaking animation, but only with time did we come to grasp the profound depth of its narrative. Written in 1894, it is extraordinary how its themes remain timeless—a tale of identity, self-discovery, and humanity’s eternal bond with nature.

Yet, despite its origins in India—its landscapes, its characters—something always felt missing in the cinematic retellings. While visually spectacular, these adaptations lacked the soul of India, the cultural and spiritual essence that breathes through the very fabric of Kipling’s setting.

So, when Shripal Morakhia introduced me to the script of Jungle Book Retold, I was astounded. For the first time, I saw Kipling’s classic infused with the depth of Indian philosophy and spiritual thought, a perspective that felt both fresh and yet deeply familiar—like an ancient story finally reclaiming its true voice.

As a child, my understanding of Indian values was shaped by the mythological tales my grandmother lovingly narrated to me—stories of duty, righteousness, and the intricate complexities of human nature. These narratives were more than folklore; they were guiding forces, shaping the way I saw the world. Our script does just that—it takes the beloved Jungle Book and seamlessly weaves it into the rich tapestry of India’s philosophical and cultural heritage.

Now, as we step into the journey of bringing this vision to life, I am filled with both excitement and an immense sense of responsibility. We are not merely retelling a story—we are reclaiming it, grounding it in the land from which it emerged. This will not just be evident in the imagery—the colors, textures, costumes, and movement—but in the very rhythm of the jungle, the sounds of the wild brought to life through rare folk instruments that echo our traditions.

With this film, we hope to create an experience that speaks not only to children but also to families, across India and around the world. Our version of The Jungle Book is more than a retelling; it is a fusion of Kipling’s themes of identity and belonging with the consciousness of Indian thought, offering answers to some of the most profound questions of our time. We believe this vision will resonate deeply, bridging cultures, generations, and traditions in a way that is both universal and uniquely Indian.