India's animation level hasn't been best so far: Arjun Kapoor

Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor, who will lend his voice to the animated character Buck in the Hindi version of "Ice Age: Collision Course", feels that the animation level of India has not been the best yet.

Asked whether the animation market is doing well in the country, Arjun told IANS here: "I think it is. If you see the films that are coming from the overseas they are all doing well here, they are putting in good numbers". 

"The animation levels of India has not been the best so far. Although if you see Punjabi cinema 'Chaar Sahibzaade', that has done tremendous business," he added. 

The 31-year-old star thinks that nobody has been able to "pull off that first big one that leads to many more". 

"India anyways has a herd mentality... So if one works then many more will be made too. It's just the matter of getting the first one right," he added.

Budget is also a reason why producers hesitate to invest in such ventures, says the "Ki & Ka" star.

"Also animation is expensive what happens is a studio or a producer sometimes says, 'let's not invest heavily on something that needs three-four years to be made and then animate, dub and release it.' I think somewhere that is a big factor in our cinema," Arjun said.

Talking about his character from the film, which is slated to release on July 15, Arjun said that he really enjoyed it and also had an "amazing" learning experience.

"I really enjoyed (it). It is an amazing way to learn for an actor because you don't have your face, the only tool you have is your voice and you can push and find the rhythm that has already been set for you by the original voice," the "Aurangzeb" star said. 

He was asked to be "fully massy" in the film because the character Buck "is fully out there, he is larger than life, loud and quirky". 

Arjun had to speak in various languages like Gujarati, Punjabi and Parsi among many more. He also had to to play different characters.

"So there was Munna Bhai, Circuit, I had to be Anil Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha and various people. It was nice learning process," he said. 

Arjun, who is the son of producer Boney Kapoor, says it is difficult to relate with Buck, but says he wishes to be like him. 

The actor also shared that he is a "self confessed animated film addict". 

"I love animated films. I'm a self confessed animated film addict. So when this opportunity came I got very excited," he said.

Asked if he is interested in dubbing for any other Hollywood animated film, Arjun said: "I am very happy doing 'Ice Age' and I hope to continue doing it whenever they come with the next part".