MUMBAI: Rohit Shetty’s Simmba, the most recent blockbuster of his sensational supercop brand, has been transformed into an animated series for young fans. The Bollywood-inspired Pogo original production Smashing Simmba will premiere on Saturday, 14 November at 1 pm and will be aired regularly in the same time slot. The series is produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez in association with Reliance Animation, a part of Reliance Entertainment.
Film director and producer Rohit Shetty said he was onboard with a cartoon avatar for his cop character the moment the concept was pitched to him. “It is amazing to see how the series has shaped up. The blend of comedy and nail-biting action, with young Simmba’s cool quotient, and funny traits, is sure to appeal to the young audience. I am eager for kids to experience the animated rendition of their favourite big-screen hero Simmba on Pogo.”
Cartoon Network and Pogo South Asia network head Abhishek Dutta believed the time was ripe for a fresh entrant in the Indian cartoon animation scene. “Within the diverse genres of homegrown animation, Bollywood has emerged as a theme widely appreciated by young fans. When Indian cinema’s most popular characters are presented in animated universes with relatable stories, kids absolutely love it. We are excited to associate with industry stalwarts Rohit Shetty and Reliance Entertainment for this unique venture, and Diwali is the perfect time to celebrate this partnership.”
Following the recent launch of Titoo, Pogo has been strengthening its offerings of popular and premium homegrown kids’ entertainment content, shared Dutta. “Smashing Simmba is exactly the kind of locally-made and relatable show that will delight our young viewers. I’m sure kids will extend the same love to our new hero, Simmba, that they have for all our shows and characters over the years.”
Reliance Entertainment group CEO Shibasish Sarkar said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting new show with a pioneering channel Pogo which has championed the evolution of kids’ entertainment in India. Given the channel’s vast and growing viewership comprising kids across the length and breadth of the country, there could be no better partner for Simmba’s foray into the kids’ entertainment space.”
The Indian animation space for kids is evolving rapidly along with its viewers, and content creators are eager to experiment with stories, characters, and backdrops, explained Reliance Animation COO Tejonidhi Bhandare. “Cinema-inspired IPs, featuring characters who are loved for their memorable personalities and nuances, have massive potential to become popular properties. ‘Smashing Simmba’ is an excellent example of how creatively Bollywood and animation can come together, opening avenues for endless possibilities.”
Pogo’s has adopted a high-octane promotional campaign for the nationwide launch of Smashing Simmba. This includes extensive digital marketing, PR, influencer engagement, brand integrations along with on-air activation. To amp up the buzz and excitement, the channel will unveil an Simmba-themed game ahead of the show’s launch. The programme will also be available in Hindi and Tamil.
Smashing Simmba follows the hilarious cavorts of the quick-witted and fearless teenager Simmba, who aspires to be a police officer. A fun-loving prankster with endless tricks up his sleeve, Simmba spends the better part of his days nabbing villains and miscreants. Thick as thieves with his friends Ricky and Kittu Khabari, Simmba finds himself on exciting adventures which perfectly represent his catchphrase, “mind is blowing.” With his signature move – the infallible ‘jumpy chumpy’ – the villains don’t stand a chance.
Watch the mind-blowing Smashing Simmba promo here.
