Get ready to witness a groundbreaking shift in the animation world! The studio behind India’s beloved children’s hero, Chhota Bheem, is teaming up with a U.K. powerhouse to create an adult-oriented animated thriller that’s anything but kid-friendly. Green Gold Animation, the Indian giant known for its family-friendly hits, has joined forces with Red Kite Animation from the U.K. to produce The Assassin, a bold and ambitious project that marks a significant leap into uncharted territory for both studios. But here’s where it gets controversial: can the creators of a beloved kids’ franchise successfully pivot to a gritty, adult-focused narrative? Only time will tell.
The project was unveiled at the WAVES Film Bazaar, part of the International Film Festival of India in Goa, by Rajiv Chilaka, the visionary founder of Green Gold Animation, and Ken Anderson, the driving force behind Red Kite Animation. The Assassin, written and directed by Martyn Pick, promises to be a cinematic tour de force. Pick, known for his work on the CGI action-animation Ultramarines: A Warhammer 40,000 Movie (2010), is teaming up with script editor Martha MacDiarmid, whose credits include Nessie Junior. Together, they’re crafting a story that blends high-octane action with deep psychological exploration.
Set in a dystopian near-future metropolis, the film follows an ordinary young man pushed to the brink after a catastrophic industrial disaster. As corporate greed tightens its stranglehold on the city, his quest for justice transforms him into a figure of danger and defiance, sparking a chain of events that challenge the very foundations of the system. And this is the part most people miss: the film isn’t just about action—it’s a visceral exploration of the human condition, using cutting-edge animation to deliver an immersive experience.
Martyn Pick describes The Assassin as ‘an ultra-cinematic action film that leverages 21st-century visuals to immerse the audience in the hero’s physical and psychological journey.’ He sees it as the culmination of his career, blending animation and live-action techniques to maximize expressive power. ‘Red Kite brings unparalleled commercial and creative insight, while Green Gold combines artistic brilliance with a robust production pipeline,’ Pick adds. ‘Together, we’re bringing this extraordinary vision to life.’
Visual development is a collaborative effort led by Pick and Green Gold’s Hyderabad-based design team, whose concept art and mood exploration set the stylistic tone for this ambitious project. For Green Gold, this partnership represents a bold creative departure from their family-friendly roots, signaling their expansion into adult-oriented animation and global co-productions. The film aims to qualify under the India-U.K. Co-Production Treaty, with production split between Hyderabad and the U.K., and financing bolstered by the U.K.’s Independent Film Tax Credit.
Ken Anderson highlights the synergy between the studios: ‘This partnership aligns ambition with creative energy. The Assassin is pushing the boundaries of adult animation, and collaborating with Rajiv and Green Gold’s talented artists has given the film a visually expansive identity from day one.’ Rajiv Chilaka echoes this sentiment, emphasizing Green Gold’s commitment to original storytelling and global collaboration. ‘Working with Red Kite on this project strengthens our dedication to creating animated cinema that defies conventions,’ he says.
Technically, the film is a marvel, combining guerrilla live-action, rotoscoping, and high-end animation techniques. Currently in active development, The Assassin is poised to be a game-changer in the animation landscape. But here’s the question we can’t stop thinking about: will audiences embrace this daring shift from the creators of Chhota Bheem? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think this bold move will pay off, or is it a risk too far?
