Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya is the rare Indian animation gem that is also timely. Now playing.

Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya is an Indian animated film directed by Shilpa Ranade, with Paperboat Animation Studios behind the animation. The story revolves around two blundering off-key yet lovable musician protagonists meet ghosts who are banished from their villages, obtain boons, avert wars, marry princesses and help the common people live happily ever after.The story also happens to have a parallel plot, where the Kings Shundi and Hundi, who are twins, constantly fight over unresolved issues planted in their minds by those who are meant to be their allies. Given the political environment and being an animation suggesting averting war through dialogue, it couldn’t be timelier.​ And the animation and production design makes it a worthy watch! Watch the trailer here.​

Featuring Manish Bhawan as Bagha and Rajeev Raj as Goopi and produced by CFSI and Karadi Tales, the film that was actually completed in 2013 and managed to win many awards has released only now. It premiered at Toronto International Film Festival and Busan Film Festival in 2013, and won various awards, including the Animation Award at The WIFTS Foundation International Visionary Awards 2013.

The film is inspired from Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, a 1969 Indian fantasy adventure comedy film written and directed by Satyajit Ray and based on a story by his grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury. It was the first film from Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne trilogy, with the sequel Hirak Rajar Deshe directed by Satyajit Ray too, and the third sequel Goopy Bagha Phire Elo directed by his son Sandip Ray. The trilogy starred Tapen Chatterjee and Rabi Ghosh as Goopy and Bagha respectively.

The film released on 1 March 2019 and is currently playing in theatres.