“Baahubali” star Rana Daggubati‘s Spirit Media has teamed with Tinkle Comics to launch a graphic novel featuring Indian superhero Minnal Murali at the Mumbai Comic-Con.
“Minnal Murali” is a 2021 Malayalam-language film directed by Basil Joseph, produced by Sophia Paul’s Weekend Blockbusters and starring Tovino Thomas as the eponymous superhero. Set in a village in Kerala, the film follows a tailor with dreams of emigrating to the U.S. and a social outcast who simultaneously get superpowers when struck by lightning (minnal means lightning in Malayalam) with the former using them for good and the latter for evil. It was acquired by Netflix and had a direct-to-digital release on the service during the pandemic and remains one of its most popular films.
The graphic novel will delve into the superhero’s origins and unveil a new story that takes his adventures further.
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Spirit Media unveiled film, TV and comic-book projects with a variety of partners at the San Diego Comic-Con last year. Tinkle, which was established in 1980, is published by India’s oldest comic-book brand Amar Chitra Katha and is known for its homegrown characters including Suppandi and Shikari Shambu. “Minnal Murali” is Tinkle’s first publication in the graphic novel format.
Daggubati said: “The debut of Tinkle’s graphic novel ‘Minnal Murali’ at Mumbai Comic-Con marks a significant milestone for reaffirming the love for Indian superheroes and comics, furthermore, resonating with the unmet need of Indian comic lovers in the digital age. It is a moment of great pride and excitement to continue the universe of one of this much loved contemporary Indian superhero and bring him to life from the screen to a comic.”
Paul added: “Seeing our beloved characters and captivating storylines come to life on the vibrant pages is a testament to the enduring impact of our film, inspiring fans to embark on new adventures within this rich and dynamic universe.”
President and CEO of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle, Preeti Vyas, said: “Books are often converted to films, but this project is a great example of how a popular film franchise has been taken into the pages of a book, with a brand-new story based on the characters of the super successful movie, ‘Minnal Murali’ in a graphic novel format. We are very excited about exploring other such transmedia opportunities for Tinkle Comics Studio.”
Gayathri Chandrasekaran, editor-in-chief of Tinkle Comics, added: “‘Minnal Murali’ has captivated the nation’s imagination, and we’re excited to bring a brand-new ‘Minnal Murali’ story to life in this dynamic new format. This graphic novel is just the beginning of Tinkle’s foray into new storytelling mediums, and we’re committed to delivering even more exciting content in the future.”
