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Case study · Film · comic book · game

Indrajith: One film. A comic and a game.

Indrajith is a 2017 Tamil fantasy action-adventure film starring Gautham Karthik, directed by Kalaprabhu and produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu under V Creations. For its release, the makers wanted the story to live beyond the cinema. Pencilbuddha developed the Indrajith comic book and the Indrajith game for Kalaipuli S Thanu and V Creations, the same producers we made the Kabali augmented reality app for. The comic was launched in Chennai by the late actor Padma Shri Dr. Vivek, who honoured Kishore on stage.

By Kishore Ravi, founder · Updated

Client
Kalaipuli S Thanu · V Creations
Film
Indrajith · released 24 Nov 2017
Made
Comic book and game
Our role
Comic, game, launch
ONE STORY, THREE WAYSThe filma fantasy adventureThe comic bookthe story in printThe gameplay in its worldThe launchwith Dr. VivekOne worldthe same hero, the same questBefore releasefans meet the story earlyThree ways inwatch, read, playFanswho stay with Indrajith
01 · The brief

A fantasy adventuredeserves a bigger world.

Indrajith is an action-adventure with a fantasy streak: a hero, a quest and a world that is bigger than a two-hour film can show. Kalaipuli S Thanu and V Creations wanted fans to step into that world before and after they watched it.

After Kabali, they came back to us for it. The answer was to give Indrajith two more forms: a comic book people could hold, and a game they could play.

THE FILM

Indrajith, 2017

A Tamil fantasy action-adventure starring Gautham Karthik, directed by Kalaprabhu.

THE PRODUCERS

V Creations

Kalaipuli S Thanu's banner, the same team behind Kabali's AR promotion.

THE JOB

Beyond the screen

A comic book and a game set in the film's world.

02 · One story, three ways

Watch it,read it, play it.

We treated Indrajith as one world told three ways. The film tells the story. The comic book lets fans hold it and go back to it. The game lets them play their way through it. Each one points to the others, so a fan who meets Indrajith in any form is led to the rest.

01The filmThe story on the big screen, released 24 November 2017.
02The comic bookThe world of Indrajith in illustrated panels, in print.
03The gameFans play their way through the film's world.
04The launchComic and game introduced to fans around the release.
03 · The game

Step intothe quest.

Alongside the comic, the same team developed the Indrajith game, set in the film's world. Where the comic lets fans read the adventure, the game lets them take part in it, with the film's hero, look and mood carried into play.

Here is the game's real level, rebuilt from the original Android build to play right here in the browser: a sunset canyon of ancient walls, rope bridges and wooden barricades, with the same models, textures, music and sound effects. Run, change lanes, jump stumps and stones, slide under the barricades and collect coins and power-ups.

← → change lanes↑ jump↓ slideor swipe
Open full screen ↗
01The canyon levelAncient stone walls, rope bridges, palms and floating islands under a sunset sky.
02Three lanesSwipe or use the arrow keys to change lanes, jump and slide.
03Coins and power-ups2x coins, slow time and jump boots, each for a few seconds.
04Gets fasterThe run speeds up the longer you last, and the level loops.
05The film's titleThe Tamil Indrajith logo and the game's own carved-stone buttons.
06Original soundThe game's music, jump, coin and power-up sounds.
04 · The comic book

The hero,panel by panel.

The Indrajith comic book retells the film's world in illustrated panels. It was made as a premium piece, with glossy, rich artwork, because a promotional comic only works if fans want to keep it.

It was released in Chennai ahead of the film, giving fans the hero and his quest in their hands before the release.

ART

Rich illustration

Glossy, colourful panels made to be kept, not thrown away.

STORY

True to the film

The same hero, world and quest as the movie.

TIMING

Before the release

In fans' hands in the run-up to the film.

05 · The launch

Launched byDr. Vivek.

The comic was launched in Chennai by the late Padma Shri Dr. Vivek, the much-loved actor. At the launch he honoured Kishore on stage for the work, a moment we still treasure.

Kishore honoured on stage by the late Padma Shri Dr. Vivek
Kalaipuli S Thanu logo
06 · The partnership

Two films,one producer.

Indrajith was our second project with Kalaipuli S Thanu and V Creations.

  1. 2016 · KabaliAn augmented reality app that played the Kabali trailer on notes, posters, newspaper ads and hoardings.
  2. 2017 · Indrajith comicA premium comic book set in the film's world, launched in Chennai by Dr. Vivek.
  3. 2017 · Indrajith gameA game that lets fans play through the film's world.
  4. 24 November 2017Indrajith releases in cinemas.
07 · Where it stands

Madeand launched.

Part of a longer partnership with V Creations that began with Kabali.

Done

Built

  • Comic book
  • Game
  • Launch with Dr. Vivek
Indrajith is a film by V Creations. Names and marks belong to their owners.

Which services made Indrajith work?

The services behind this project. Each one has its own page, with more work and answers.

Which projects are like this one?

Case studies that share this project's work, then more clients we have done it for.

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