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The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tintin-style comic book makeover for Lakadbaggha film action hero
In 2023, actor Anshuman Jha, an unlikely candidate to shoulder a superhero franchise, snuck behind a hoodie to play the role of Arjun Bakshi, an animal trainer-turned-vigilante who saves a striped hyena from poachers in the indie action film Lakadbaggha (directed by Victor Mukherjee). The film had a muted theatrical release, but proved a better draw on streaming. Its themes of environmentalism, animal welfare, and citizen activism stayed with Jha, who has now extended the film into a multi-media franchise, starting with a comic book but extending into sequels, merchandise and video games. The makers are calling it the Animal Lover Vigilante Universe. Recently launched in Mumbai by actor John Abraham, honorary director of PETA India, the Lakadbaggha comic book amalgamates diverse influences, from Tintin to Bruce Lee. The creators see this as an opportunity to instil values of animal welfare in young minds through an action franchise. 'When you see someone harm an animal, you really want to beat them up. This fulfils that fantasy,' says Abraham, who has two rescued dogs — Bailey and Sia — at home. Hergé's influence Jha, 40, spent his childhood and early teens immersed in Tintin, Nagraj and Chacha Chaudhary. In the winter of 2022, he was touring with the Lakadbaggha movie in the U.S. when he met Brittain Peck, an illustrator and visual artist, who shared his enthusiasm for Tintin. 'We spent seven months ideating and arguing to crack the art style,' says Jha. Titled Lakadbaggha: The Prologue, the 30-page mini-comic dramatises a drug bust at Kolkata's Khidirpir docks by Arjun and his trusty canine Shonku (named, you guessed it, for the Satyajit Ray character). The art style echoes the unobtrusive 'ligne claire' approach pioneered by Belgian cartoonist and Tintin creator Hergé. In the opening panel, a ship named 'Kaliyuga' stands moored at the docks, an homage to 'Aurora' that whisked away Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock to the Arctic Ocean in The Shooting Star (1942). 'I grew up with Marvel comics and often found them busy and intimidating,' confides Peck, who went to art school at the University of North Carolina. 'By contrast, any Tintin comic has three main colours and a simplicity of panelling and storytelling that draws you in.' Peck was delighted to discover the enduring fandom of Tintin in India, a legacy that has survived postcolonial readings of the ginger-haired adventurer. 'Tintin is incredibly European to a fault. He is this young white boy who can go anywhere in the world, fly an aeroplane and take on whole armies. While I do appreciate the visual language, we have also tried to reclaim it to tell the story of an Indian vigilante and superhero,' says Peck. Wildlife awareness The Lakadbaggha comic book ends with two factoids about hyenas: that they have the strongest bite force among carnivore mammals, and that a mother hyena's milk is exceedingly rich in fat and proteins. 'Every comic book in the series will have these,' says Jha, who hopes to educate young readers about the animal world. A second book is currently in development and will be launched at the New York Comic-Con in October.
News18
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
John Abraham To Launch Lakadbaggha: The Prologue In Mumbai
Last Updated: Lakadbaggha: The Prologue, a graphic novel by Anshuman Jha and Brittain Peck, will be unveiled on May 26 in Mumbai by John Abraham. We have a new kind of hero, one who doesn't wear a cape, but fights for those without a voice. Lakadbaggha: The Prologue, a gripping new graphic novel, is set to be unveiled on May 26 in Mumbai, with none other than actor, animal rights advocate, and PETA India's Honorary Director John Abraham doing the honours. Written by actor-filmmaker Anshuman Jha and illustrated by celebrated American comic artist Brittain Peck, the book acts as a prelude to the cult action film Lakadbaggha. It's not just a prequel but the first brick in building an entire universe around India's original animal-loving vigilante. This ambitious project brings together stunning visuals and a strong message about protecting the voiceless – animals. Audiences will be introduced to the origin story of Arjun Bakshi, the mysterious fighter who takes on cruelty with claw and courage. For Anshuman Jha, the comic is deeply personal. 'I grew up as a kid in Allahabad reading Chacha Choudhary, Nagraj & Tintin. I was also blessed to have been exposed to animals & nature – with my heart always deeply rooting for them. I always dreamt of a hero who would fight for the voiceless — not just on screen, but off the pages too. Lakadbaggha – The Prologue is the beginning of that dream realised…" Brittain Peck, who brings Arjun Bakshi's world to life on the page, shared, 'I'm honoured and thrilled to be partnering with Anshuman to bring Arjun Bakshi to the pages of a comic book based on a film I deeply admire… Arjun Bakshi's story and passion for protecting those less fortunate is one that I wish I had found when I was a kid, which makes me all the more excited to create Arjun as a comic hero for kids to read today." Published by Om Books International, known for pushing creative boundaries in Indian publishing, Lakadbaggha: The Prologue marks the beginning of a powerful new chapter in Indian storytelling. The Mumbai launch will see the cast and crew of the Lakadbaggha franchise, including Ridhi Dogra, in attendance. First Published:
The Print
24-05-2025
- The Print
Private school in UP's Mathura booked for keeping langur tied on campus, animal rescued
District-level officer of the Social Forestry Division, Rajnikant Mittal, said the allegations were found to be true during investigation following which the Forest Department registered a case. Regional Forest Officer (Sadar) Atul Tiwari said the complaint was lodged last week, alleging that a langur was being kept tied to a tree without permission at Prasad Senior Secondary Public School on Maholi Road. Mathura (UP), May 23 (PTI) A case has been registered against a private school here under the Wildlife (Protection) Act following a complaint by animal rights organisation PETA India, officials said on Thursday. The case was registered under sections 9 (prohibits the hunting of wild animals listed in Schedules I and II), 39 9outlines that wild animals, other than vermin, are considered government property under certain conditions)and 51 (outlines the penalties for violating the act and its related rules) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and rescued the langur. The animal will be produced before a court for legal custody proceedings before being relocated to a suitable habitat, he said. According to the Act, the Indian langur is a protected species under Schedule II, and its illegal confinement is punishable with imprisonment of three to seven years, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, or both. PETA India's Anti-Cruelty Campaign Coordinator Shraddha Purohit said the central government had clarified through a 1998 amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, that monkeys and other wild animals cannot be used for performances or trained for such purposes. PTI COR KIS OZ OZ OZ This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
School in UP's Mathura booked for keeping langur tied to tree on campus
A case has been registered against a private school here under the Wildlife (Protection) Act following a complaint by animal rights organisation PETA India, officials said on Thursday. Regional Forest Officer (Sadar) Atul Tiwari said the complaint was lodged last week, alleging that a langur was being kept tied to a tree without permission at Prasad Senior Secondary Public School on Maholi Road. Also Read: LMC plans India's 'first' animal birth control training centre District-level officer of the Social Forestry Division, Rajnikant Mittal, said the allegations were found to be true during investigation following which the Forest Department registered a case. Also Read: 2 tigresses, 3 leopards among 6 animals showing symptoms of illness in Kanpur zoo The case was registered under sections 9 (prohibits the hunting of wild animals listed in Schedules I and II), 39 9outlines that wild animals, other than vermin, are considered government property under certain conditions)and 51 (outlines the penalties for violating the act and its related rules) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and rescued the langur. Also Read: Suspected grey wolf sighted in Delhi after decades The animal will be produced before a court for legal custody proceedings before being relocated to a suitable habitat, he said. According to the Act, the Indian langur is a protected species under Schedule II, and its illegal confinement is punishable with imprisonment of three to seven years, a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both. PETA India's Anti-Cruelty Campaign Coordinator Shraddha Purohit said the central government had clarified through a 1998 amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, that monkeys and other wild animals cannot be used for performances or trained for such purposes.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
Animal rights activists demand psychiatric evaluation of man who uploaded video of himself swinging stray dog by legs online
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Animal rights activists have sought the psychiatric evaluation of a man from Nanded, who faces criminal action for swinging a dog by its legs on May 13 this year and uploading a video of the act online. After the clip was shared widely, non-profit group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India followed up with the Nanded police, who registered an FIR against the accused on May 15 under Section 11(1)(a) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and section 325 (mischief by killing or maiming animal) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The man was served with notice after being produced before the Nanded superintendent of police (SP). The disturbing incident had sparked public outrage, after the Instagram post uploaded by the man captured him violently spinning a community dog in the air by its legs, causing the animal trauma and distress. The dog was heard crying out in fear and pain, yet the accused continued with total disregard for the animal's suffering. His video was later taken down after an uproar. Local sources said the dog was not mortally injured. Following coordinated efforts by multiple animal protection groups and formal intervention by PETA India , the Shivajinagar police took suo motu action against the accused. PETA India cruelty response coordinator Sunayana Basu said the accused involved in animal abuse must undergo psychiatric evaluation and receive counselling. "Abusing animals indicates a deep psychological disturbance. Research shows that people who commit acts of cruelty to animals are often repeat offenders who move on to hurting other animals and humans," she told TOI. PETA India approached different authorities, including the Maharashtra Animal Welfare Board, which took cognisance of the complaint and directed the Nanded Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to take action in the matter. The Nanded SPCA member-secretary then sent a request to the Shivajinagar police station to register an FIR, based on PETA India's complaint.
