My Friend Ganesha
Animation films are still in their infancy in India. There has been an occasional 'Hanuman' that has seen audience coming to watch an animated film in hordes but then there are also flicks like 'Bhagmati' and 'Krishna' that have been absolute disasters. In such a scenario one looks forward to what 'My Friend Ganesha' has to offer, especially considering the fact that it merges live and animation action on the same frame, an experiment to say the least.
What is required from an animation film for children is the simplicity in the narrative that doesn't try to be too smart and instead sticks to the basic while making sure that there is enough entertainment value. One expects that director Rajiv S. Ruia who has made some diametrically opposite films like 'Mission Mumbai' and 'Jalwa - Fun In Love' in the past has kept this in mind.
The basic pretext of 'My Friend Ganesha' is pretty simple. The film is about this 8 year old boy named Ashu [Ahsaas Channa, seen earlier in films like 'Vaastu Shastra', 'KANK' and 'Aryan'] who lives with a small family comprising of his father Aaditya [Kiran Janjani], mother Aarti [Shital Shah] and maid Gangubai.
For any child, it could well have been an ideal family but not for Ashu. Reason? He feels left out and a little ignored since his parents are busy with the daily chores and are too preoccupied to be aware of what's happening in his life. The only person in who he finds solace? Gangubai, who is his confidante!
Life takes a turn for Ashu when he comes across a mouse and turns out to be it's savior. It was raining heavily and mouse could have drowned to death if not for Ashu crossing the way. A kind hearted boy that he is, Ashu gets fond of the mouse and decides to nurture it at his own home.
Gangubai is overtly pleased when she gets to know about Ashu's act and explains to him that a mouse has a close connection with Lord Ganesha since it is the means for the Lord's ride. She further educates him about the deep friendship shared between the two.
Inspired by this friendship, now Ashu desires a friend for himself too in his lonely life. And he gets one soon. Who is he? None other than Lord Ganesha himself. Gangubai aids in getting the Lord at home and soon life changes not only for Ashu but even for his parents. While Ashu finds a friend for himself on the auspicious occasion of Ganesha festival, he is also elated by the fact that the problems being faced by his family start getting eliminated.
Ashu's friend Ganesha makes sure that not just Ashu remains happy forever after spending 11 days with him, his parents also find a new way to live after being relieved of the issues that they were facing earlier.
A feel good film for children, 'My Friend Ganesha' is a Koffee Break film and has been produced by Apurva Shah, Manish Ruparel and Mitesh Mehta. Also starring Mushtaq Khan, Anil Nagrath, Aroon Bakshi and Upasna Singh, 'My Friend Ganesha' releases this Friday.