Hum Badal Gaye

Hum Badal Gaye is the first animation film from Assam and Northeast India officially certified and censored by Central Board of Film Certification, India. Hum Badal Gaye is an animated film, directed by Ryan Hazarika and produced by Axl Hazarika. The world television premiere of the film was held on 1 January 2012.^[1][2][3] The storyline of the animation film, which focuses on the friendship between a boy and a cat, throws light on the noble cause of affection towards the innocent animals who often fall prey to several human atrocities. The effort hopes to inculcate a more altruistic approach towards animals. It is also in dedication to the unprivileged kids of society who miss the opportunity to experience the essence of such relationships in their lives. Unlike most other animation films of India, the animation style combines 2D and 3D elements.^[1]

Synopsis

The root of every new relationship outside the realm of familial ties is friendship. Friends constitute a crucial position in an individual's public, private and emotional domain. No set boundaries, norms limit the blossoming of a new friendship. It does not necessarily mean that friendship should be only between humans. Hum Badal Gaye exactly tries to show this and brings into limelight the love and friendship between a boy Ryan and Xanah, his beloved cat. In today’s world where animals are ill-treated and tortured and killed for various selfish motives, the film celebrates the essence of love, friendship and freedom. Ryan is a benevolent, kind and a caring boy who loves his adorable chubby cat, Xanah, whom he brought 5 years ago. Xanah at that time was a little kitten. Ryan found her lying injured near a pavement. This sight moved him and he brought her home and tended her and finally nursed her back to her health and from here geared a new bond and a new friendship between these two different creatures. Ryan is very fond of his cat and plays with her every day. However things went grey one day with the arrival of a new cat in his neighbourhood and Xanah thereby getting a new friend. Xanah now shares the same playfulness with her new friend like she does with Ryan. Ryan misses the sole attention of his best friend which is now equally shared with her new friend .This sweet insecurity however ends and Ryan finally realizes that there is no harm even if Xanah plays with her new friend and that he has no right to curb the freedom and independence just because she is not a human. He finally lets Xanah to be her ownself and enjoy her cat life without any insecurity.^[1][4]

Production / Music

The film uses a novel effect of combining 2D and 3D animation. The outlines of both characters are hand drawn and animated in 2-D, while the scenes are rendered in 3D.^[4] Hum Badal Gaye is the first-ever musical attempt, from northeast India, to produce a beautiful amalgamation of music with animation. The animation film is very creatively crafted out by brothers Ryan Hazarika and Axl Hazarika. Directed by Ryan Hazarika, the animation part is done by both of them. While music and post production of the film is done by Axl Hazarika. The storyline of the animation film, which focuses on the friendship between a boy and a cat, throws light on the noble cause of affection towards the innocent animals who often fall prey to several human atrocities. It is also in dedication to the less fortunate, unprivileged kids of our society who miss the very opportunity to experience the essence of such relationships in their lives.

The original score is created by Assamese avant-garde / new age music composer Axl Hazarika, who is a well known composer in the Indian rock and metal scene. The record breaking globally hit soundtrack of the film, Hum Badal Gaye, is composed, mixed, mastered and produced by Axl Hazarika. The soundtrack (OST) of the film was released on 14 February 2012 in celebration of Valentine’s day worldwide.^[1][5][6]

Critical reaction / Reception / Records

Hum Badal Gaye is premiered simultaneously in all the major television channels of northeast India which includes DY365, Frontier TV, Rang channel, Ramdhenu channel, Newslive, NETV, NEHIFI, etc. The animation film and its music got a tremendous response from the people of northeast India making it break all the records of popularity from Northeast India. The animation of the film got great feedbacks from the veteran fraternity of the film and music industry of the region. The soundtrack of the film Hum Badal Gaye, composed by Axl Hazarika, created history by becoming the all-time highest viewed track from Northeast India on YouTube till date. It also stood at the second position on YouTube music charts becoming the highest ranked song from northeast India. In addition, Axl Hazarika became the only artist from northeast India to reach the no. 1 position on YouTube musician charts which remains a record for a musician from northeast India.^[7][8] Also, the song is northeast India’s highest downloaded song at the global music stores like iTunes, emusic, spotify and Amazon.com.

References

External links

• Hum Badal Gaye at the Internet Movie Database
• Axl Hazarika website