Vaibhav Studios’ Return Of The Jungle (animation) is the story of a group of six school friends. Ali, Harpreet, Mihir, Sweety, Rohan and Dhondoo study in the same class and are friends. Mihir is the shortest in the group. He is scared of the very tall Rahul. But the same Mihir defeats Rahul in the inter-school fancy dress competition. This does not sit well with Rahul. Next follows an inter-school cricket tournament. The vengeful Rahul takes it upon himself to teach Mihir’s cricket team a lesson. Rahul’s team, in fact, wins the tournament, defeating the team of the six friends and others. Actually, Ali could have taken his team to victory but he gets run out in the last ball because he has taken ill. Ali is hospitalised after the cricket match. Rahul’s heart melts and he apologises to Ali, Mihir and their friends.
Vaibhav Kumaresh’s story is too simplistic and scattered. The ending should’ve been more fulfilling. In the form in which the story is written, it seems to be a bit random. Vaibhav Kumaresh and Prosenjit Ganguly’s screenplay is okay. Again, a more wholesome screenplay would’ve been better. Dialogues are alright.
Voice acting is proper.
Vaibhav Kumaresh’s direction is good. The animation is excellent. Roto Shah, Narayan Parasuram and Advait Nemlekar’s music holds appeal for the kids. Lyrics (Aishwarya Kumaresh and Amar Singh) are okay. Roto Shah’s background music deserves first-class marks. Ganesh Kotale’s art direction is proper. Saikat Ray and Prakash Kurup’s editing is sharp.
On the whole, Return Of The Jungle is a well-made entertainer but awareness about the film and its release is so poor that it will go largely unnoticed.
Released on 29-5-’26 at Metro Inox (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Yen Movies. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.