Chacha Chaudhary set to go global

Remember Chacha Chaudhary — the old detective with a big white moustache and a red turban, whose mind works faster than a computer and who has a companion from the planet Jupiter?

Nearly 30 years after the popular comic characters were created, they are all set to go international.

Diamond Comics — that has been printing the series — has tied up with License India to create merchandising for the characters. The merchandise will be sold across 15 nations that will include the US, UK, Canada amongst others. “There is a lot of merchandising for Disney characters. This is the chance for Indian comic characters to have visibility worldwide,” said Gulshan Rai, chairman and managing director, Diamond Comics. “There are plans to use characters from the Chacha Chaudhary series for stationery, candies, ice-cream, shoes and so on.”

Along with Chacha Chaudhary, License India will also create merchandise for the other characters from the series — Billoo, Pinki, Sabu and Shrimatiji.

According to Anupama Bindra, Bussiness head, License India, the main target audiences are Indians abroad. “We want Indian kids living outside to know about Indian comic characters,” Bindra said.

An animation film on the characters is also on cards next year. “We will be maintaining the intrinsic qualities of every character in the comic series but their look in the film will be a little different keeping up with the times. There are several Indians living abroad who grew up on these comics. The animation film will be a good opportunity to capture their attention,” Rai said.

The merchandise will be launched in the market in the next eight months.