Indian animation giant Green Gold Animation, the studio behind the popular children’s series ‘Chhota Bheem’, and UK-based Red Kite Animation have teamed up on ‘The Assassin’, an animated adult film that marks a significant collaboration between India and the UK.
The project was announced by Rajiv Chilaka, founder and CEO of Green Gold Animation, and Ken Anderson, founder and CEO of Red Kite Animation, at WAVES Film Bazaar, the market component of the Indian International Film Festival in Goa.
“The Assassin” was written and directed by Martin Pick, whose previous directorial work includes the CGI action animated feature film “Ultramarines: The Warhammer 40,000 Movie” (2010). Martha McDiarmid, known for her work on Nessie Jr., serves as script editor and continues her creative collaboration with Red Kite.
The film is set in a collapsed near-future metropolis and depicts an ordinary young man pushed to breaking point after a devastating industrial tragedy. As corporate power tightens its grip on the city, his quest for justice drives him into a dangerous transformation, setting in motion events that challenge the system from within.
“‘The Assassin’ is a hyper-cinematic action film that uses bold 21st century visuals to give audiences a visceral experience of the hero’s physical and psychological journey. For me, this is the culmination of a career that has blended animation and live action for maximum expressiveness within the dynamic forces of genre and commercial storytelling.” Red Ka Mr. Pick has great commercial and creative insight into animation and film as both a storytelling and visual medium. Green Gold combines great artistic skills and understanding with a strong pipeline. They are the perfect partner to bring Assassin’s extraordinary vision to life.”
Visual development was led by Pick in collaboration with the Hyderabad-based Green Gold design team, whose concept art and mood explorations establish the stylistic foundation for the ambitious animated feature.
The partnership represents a creative departure for Green Gold Animation, which has built its reputation primarily on family-friendly content, particularly the ‘Chhota Bheem’ franchise. This collaboration marks the studio’s expansion into adult animation and global co-production partnerships.
The film aims to be covered by the India-UK Co-Production Treaty and is planned to be produced in Hyderabad and the UK. The funding strategy includes the UK Independent Film Tax Credit, with both studios participating as equal partners through development, production and distribution.
“This partnership represents a powerful alignment of ambition and creative energy,” Anderson said. “‘The Assassin’ ventures into bold new territory in adult animation, and our collaborations with the great artists at Rajiv and Green Gold give the film a broad visual identity from the get-go.”
Chilaka further added, “Green Gold has always championed original ideas and unique visual storytelling. Working with Red Kite on this India-UK feature strengthens our commitment to global collaboration and producing boundary-pushing animated films.”
This project combines guerrilla live action, rotoscoping, and high-end animation techniques. The film is currently in intensive development, with financing and production plans underway.
