Vidya Balan, Mrunal Thakur, Rosanna Arquette for Indian female superhero animation

Bollywood actresses Vidya Balan and Mrunal Thakur has teamed up with Hollywood star Rosanna Arquette, to give their voice to the animated characters of a short film based on the Indian female comicbook superhero Priya. It is also reported that the daughter of filmmaker Kabir Khan, Sairah Kabir has also joined the team for the fourth edition of the comicbook series.

In the fourth edition, which is titled as “Priya’s Mask”, the female superhero Priya tackles the Covid-19 pandemic. Talking about this comicbook series, Mrunal said, “I have always aspired to be that superwoman who spreads awareness around social issues and it couldn’t be more exciting than to be a part of an animation character who is the voice of reason. I want to tell children of frontline workers that even though their parents aren’t wearing capes, they are heroes in their own ways. They too are saving lives and taking care of the nation”.

Priya  (Mrunal’s character) is escorted by a flying tiger, Sahas that is voiced by Vidya.  The story is set against the backdrop of Jodhpur, and features the eight-year-old Meena voiced by Sairah, along with her working mother who nurses Covid-19 infected patients.

Vidya said: “The animation, apart from being a nod to caregivers globally, which in itself is wonderful and timely and necessary, carries a strong message of solidarity — so it was an easy ‘yes’ for me ‘.”

Sairah added: “A lot of kids my age will be able to relate to this story since their parents are working round the clock and juggling between so many responsibilities. In times like these, roles get reversed and children become pillars of strength for their parents by encouraging them to continue doing the praiseworthy work. It was an enjoyable experience voicing a cartoon as I have never done that and it is one thing ticked off my bucket list,” she said.

The series was created by US-based Ram Devineni who is the founder of media house Rattapallax and also a documentary filmmaker and technologist. She said, “It was important to understand the emotional toll the pandemic and isolation has on young people, and provide a message of hope in the comic and film.”