IF YOU have recently visited a bookstore, you must have wondered why Shahid Kapoor, in sync with his on-screen image of R…Rajkumar, is peeking from a book cover. Or why Shah Rukh Khan, in his Don avatar, was harping back at you. Both the actors got ?cartooned? for the comic series of their respective films so that they get more visibility among book lovers.
Launching the comic book recently in Mumbai, Kapoor said, ?Making a comic book for a masala and action film like R… Rajkumar makes for a perfect connect. Getting a comic book for your film is a very cool idea.? He plays the lead role in the film as well as the book.
While movies and characters inspired from comic books are a common phenomenon, reel characters translating into comic books wasn?t really the order of the day in Bollywood. Fans got an early taste of the ?comic connect? when Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji?s Hum Tum introduced the idea in 2004, followed by several other projects down the line. Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha starrer R… Rajkumar is the latest to jump on the bandwagon when the stars along with director Prabhu Deva launched a comic book series based on their film in Mumbai recently.
As Bollywood seems to be opening up to this new genre, we bring you other heroes and superheroes who tried to woo the comic lovers in India.
Dhoom
Another one coming from the Chopras, Dhoom Redux-893, is about action in an airplane, a chase on the bike, sword fights, a robbery going right, another one going wrong, and quite a few killings, much like the original Dhoom series.
Agent Vinod
Published by Westland, Agent Vinod-The Jungfrau Encounter is the brainchild of Saif Ali Khan, who himself is a graphic novel buff. The book is about an encounter in a place called Jungfrau (somewhere in Switzerland) where baddies from four different continents assemble with a common goal to eliminate Agent Vinod.
Ek tha tiger
Coming from the house of Chopras, Ek Tha Tiger: Mahasagar Ki Suraksha is about a ship being hijacked in the Indian Ocean with Somali pirates accused as the culprits. As one flips through the first four to five pages, it is clear that there is more of Salman Khan (who plays the lead role in the film) in Tiger than Tiger is in Khan.
Ra.one
Breaking away from the oft-taken path, Ra.One was the first superhero movie that brought out its own comic book version unlike other superhero movies that came to life after their comic book characters were given birth. Accessible for all to read, G.One: The Journey Begins traces the journey of G.One and delves deeper into the life of a superhero.
Boss
Akshay Kumar tied up with comic book series Chacha Chaudhary for his action comedy, Boss. In the book, Kumar helps Chaudhary solve problems.
Krrish 3
Graphic India and Filmkraft Productions (I) collaborated to launch an original digital comic series and comic magazine called Krrish: Menace of the Monkey Men. The story features the original adventure of Krrish written and illustrated by comic book creators Tom De Falco, Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema, who have worked on comic book characters such as Spider-Man, Superman, Thor and The Avengers, among others.
Bullett Raja
Post the success of The Legend of Bullett Raja, a graphic novel series built around the character of Bullett Raja that turned out to be a huge hit in the digital space, the makers of the movie are planning to bring it out as a comic book. The comic is hand drawn and has a very informal and earthy look to itself. The character of Raja Mishra, played by Khan, will be seen in a rustic avatar.
Don 2
A graphic novel, Don: The Origin, is a prequel, and it details the Don?s past (essayed by Shah Rukh Khan). It was conceived and scripted by director Farhan Akhtar and has been published by Om Books. It narrates the genesis and story of Don and Don 2, both starring Khan.
R…rajkumar
Launched just before the release of the film, the comic book of the same name sees Shahid Kapoor in the role of Rajkumar, an aimless young boy who is not afraid to take a stand and fight for what he feels is right. The comic will be a romantic-action series with Shahid as the protagonist, while Sonakshi will also be a part of the series.
Lagaan
Launched in 2002 by Egmont Imagination India Limited, a subsidiary of Egmont International Holdings, Denmark, and Aamir Khan Productions Limited in 2002, Lagaan: The Story is a graphic novel available in English and Hindi. It captures the essence of the film and allows fans to relive their favourite cinematic moments.
