Bal Ganesh Movie Reviews

Bal Ganesh

NANHA MUNNA BAL GANESHA

Animation is emerging as the next hi-profile genre that's been finding its harmonious stronghold in Hindi cinema. It has been fancied by new set of filmmakers with great enthusiasm but the results haven't been alluring. In 2005, viewers were enthralled with 'Hanuman' and the film still remains to be the only masterpiece in this genre. Shemaroo's 'Bal Ganesh' happens to be second best endeavor in this genre as it provides breathtaking animated visuals with its finely crafted caricatures in its two-hour run. After some sub-standard animation in 'Krishna' and 'My Friend's Ganesha', it was really satisfying experience to witness amicable techno wizardry of animation making its impressive moves on silver screen. Director Pankaj Sharma, an expert in animated films and telefilms , makes sharp moves in inundating the playful childhood adventures of Lord Ganesha. It's indeed a brilliant effort of the director to conceive the aesthetical values of Hollywood's animated films like 'Ice Age' and 'Shrek' into his characters and scripting.

The highpoint of 'Bal Ganesha' is that it has been conceived on 3D animation format rather than showcasing the contents on contemporary 2D animation sketches and graphics. It has given film its desired 3D animation look that works positively in giving it a scintillating feel to attract kids. Pankaj Sharma earlier produced TV serial; "Hukum Mere Aaka" and got nominated in the "Best Special Effects" category at the "Indian Telly Awards". Besides , his 3D animation tele film "Bal Hanuman" on Zee TV and Cartoon Network also created a craze and buzz among children nation-wide. Shemaroo's 'Bal Ganesha' marks his debut in Bollywood as director and predictably he delivers promising results in his fictional animated work.

'Bal Ganesha' is a fun-loving kid entertainer that depicts the lively and sparkling childhood antics of Lord Ganesha as a cute kid. The film is set on snowy mountains (similar to Hollywood's 'Ice Age') where cute Ganesha dances, prances and do skiing to allure his kid viewers. It was really delightful view to witness Maa Parvati's palace with great animation effects where antics of all earlier Ganesha frolics take place. The animated character of Ganesha followed by "Nandi Bail" and other "Gan" (similar to Hollywood's 'Shrek') are finely crafted. But the caricatures of Lord Shiva and Brahma were not created with apt skills and there were loose ends in their depiction.

The film rolls on with the voice over of "Mooshakraj", prankster mouse who accompanies Ganesha in all his mischievously playful adventures. It's a film about prankster Elephant God Ganesha who confronts all divinely powers and proves his might. The naughty "Mooshakraj" acts as "sutradhar" (presenter) for the film and discusses all the eventful happenings of Lord Ganesha as a prankster kid. The first act of 'Bal Ganesha' discusses the origination of Lord Ganesha by Maa Paravati. It has splendid animation when Ganesha appears in human form and the positive animated work goes on till he is bestowed with Elephant's head. The second act depicting "Parshuram" confronting with Ganesha and breaking his one teeth and thus getting the title of "Ekdanta" is also suitable on-screen work.


Kid Ganesha's sharing of teasing moments with "Nandi Bail" and "Mooshakraj" evoke loads of humor that will certainly be cherished by child audiences. Ganesha's interaction with his brother "Kartikey" is also suitably depicted where his love for his parents is glorified. The act where he is invited by God Kuber is magnanimously crafted and shows the opulence of Sharma's animated works. The scenes showing Ganesha's insatiable appetite in Kuber's palace is a fine piece of writing. Ganesha's interaction with "Chandrama" (Moon) and fight with demon Tarkasur are also well portrayed with magnificent animation skills.

The animation techniques especially used in last acts where Ganesha along with his brother "Kartikey" kills demon "Tarkasur" deserves to be applauded. Pankaj Sharma's expertise in depicting Kuber's palace and later Tarkasur's gruesome army, featuring dinosaurs and other deadly animals are of international standards. Now the weak elements! The music of 'Bal Ganesha' proves to be its biggest weak link and a discouraging factor that decimates all its strengths. Shamir Tandon's musical composition disappoints completely and there's hardly any number that can make any impact. The soundtrack by Kailash Kher "Nache Dhin Dhin Tak" (composed by Sanjay Dhakan) delivers some chirpy and amusing animation where Ganesha along with a bunch of mouse dances to their best. The other tracks like "Ganesh Utpati" and "Nanha Munna Bal Ganesha" simply work with the narration of the film rather than adding any entertaining element.

Secondly, there are some moments where animation proves unworthy and ordinary. The desired hilarious elements of a typical animation film are also missing. The film was supposed to be providing comical fun but there are few moments that deliver the needful. The narration was slightly slackening in the second half, especially in Kuber's episode. Last but not the least, the producers have not spent much on its promotion and it has arrived unnoticed in many major territories. It has been pitted with big budget multiple releases with almost zilch promotional impact. There's no major buzz about 'Bal Ganesha' and it will be really disappointing if the film gets unnoticed and faces disappointment at the box office. Shemaroo, major player in Home Videos segment, may expect promising sales in their DVD/VCD format in coming months but will be facing hard times at the box office.

Overall, 'Bal Ganesha' is an impressive piece of animation that shows the high standards of the booming Indian animation industry. The film can easily be counted as second best effort after 'Hanuman' and will certainly be striking chord with child audiences in coming days. Year 2007 has proved to be the year of child actors and their films but unfortunately all good "mouth publicity" has not been reciprocated with amicable box office results. 'Bal Ganesha' deserves to be viewed by all those who hold interest in good animation works and for all kids who crave for a better entertaining weekend in this festive season.

Happy Viewing!!!