28 December 2009 – The Birth of a Legend
The dim glow of the projector cast flickering shadows across the packed theater. The air was thick with anticipation as the Dream Chaser Film Company's latest creation, Ramayan: The Legend of Rama, played on the massive screen.
From the very first frame, the audience was captivated.
A hush fell over the theater as the hyper-realistic animation unfolded. Rama, with his piercing gaze and flowing garments, moved with a grace that seemed almost too natural for an animated character. The ripples in the water reflected the golden hues of the setting sun, each movement precise, each detail painstakingly crafted.
"Wow… is this really an animation?" a man in the front row murmured, barely audible over the gasps of awe.
"This—this looks real!" another whispered, his eyes widening as he leaned forward.
Then came the battle sequences.
Swords clashed, arrows soared, and divine powers erupted across the battlefield in a spectacle unlike anything the audience had ever seen. Every strike carried weight, every motion fluid yet fierce. The raw intensity of the action made hearts race.
"Unbelievable!" someone exclaimed. "The last time I saw fight choreography this perfect was in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
"I thought animation was for kids," another voice added, almost dazed. "This… this is a masterpiece."
Even the special effects, from the swirling dust clouds to the divine energy radiating from Rama and Ravana, left the audience speechless.
By the time the credits rolled, the theater erupted in thunderous applause.
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The Internet Eruption
The next day, social media and news outlets were flooded with reviews. Ramayan: The Legend of Rama was being hailed as a game-changer in animation history.
"A revolutionary blend of mythology and modern animation—9.7/10!" – Empire Online
"Dream Chaser has set a new global standard. Pixar and Disney should take notes!" – Hollywood Insider
"The most stunning visuals I've ever seen in animation. If I could rate it 11/10, I would!" – Rotten Tomatoes User Review
Fans couldn't stop talking about the film.
"The animation quality is unreal. I had to remind myself this wasn't live-action!"
"The fight sequences alone are worth the price of admission. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out!"
Within just three days, Ramayan: The Legend of Rama had shattered every box office record in the Hindu-speaking world.
The hype was unstoppable.
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January 4, 2010 – The International Premiere
Europe and North America had been eagerly waiting for Ramayan: The Legend of Rama, and when it finally hit their theaters, the response was electric.
Despite competition from Avatar, which had already been dominating the box office for nearly three weeks, Ramayan held its own.
Opening Day Box Office:
• Global Premiere Earnings: $32 million
• North American Second-Day Earnings: $24.5 million
By January 15, the film had grossed $320 million overseas and $192 million in India, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
It wasn't just breaking records—it was rewriting the rules of animation.
Surprisingly, Avatar, which had been hailed as the pinnacle of special effects, suddenly felt underwhelming in comparison. Viewers now criticized its CGI, calling the Na'vi "cartoonish" compared to the hyper-realistic characters in Ramayan.
The once-unstoppable Avatar saw its box office drop by nearly 50% in key markets like India and China.
Dream Chaser had done the impossible.
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10 January 2010 – The Royal Palace, Vijayanagara
Krishna Deva Raya sat in his study, sipping on a cup of freshly brewed Darjeeling tea as he reviewed the reports.
"A mythological animation from Vijayanagara taking the world by storm…"
A smirk played on his lips.
"Priya," he called, not looking up.
His secretary, Priya, stepped forward, holding a neatly organized folder. "Yes, Your Highness?"
"How is Dream Chaser doing?"
She straightened. "Your Highness, since Ramayan: The Legend of Rama is still running in Europe and the United States, we won't have final revenue numbers until February. However, projections indicate record-breaking profits."
Krishna Deva Raya nodded, pleased but unsurprised.
Unlike traditional live-action films, which required elaborate sets, costly actor contracts, and months of on-location shoots, Dream Chaser operated differently.
Their cutting-edge technology eliminated the need for actors. Everything was created in-house, with a team of animators, digital artists, and AI-driven motion capture.
They could produce a high-quality animated film in three months—a feat unheard of in the industry.
And this was just the beginning.
"It's time to build momentum," Krishna Deva Raya mused. "Before we move to live-action, we should strengthen the IP with more animated films."
"Like a franchise?" Priya inquired.
He nodded. "Exactly. Think of how The Mummy films built their own world. We'll do the same with Ramayan and beyond."
Priya quickly took notes.
"And one more thing—Universal Studios has shown interest in collaborating with Dream Chaser," she added.
Krishna Deva Raya chuckled. "Oh? What do they want?"
"They're interested in co-producing a project."
His expression turned calculating. "Then let's give them an offer they can't refuse."
He leaned forward. "Tell Venkatesh Teja—they can collaborate, but only if Universal agrees to permanently license the Jurassic Park IP or sell it to us outright."
Priya's eyes widened slightly. "Jurassic Park?"
"Yes," Krishna Deva Raya confirmed. "I've been planning a Dinosaur Theme Island for a while. With our advancements in bionic technology, I want to create a park that feels truly alive."
A silent pause.
Priya could already see the future. A real-world Jurassic Park—something no one else could achieve.
"It will be one of the most popular theme parks in the world," Krishna Deva Raya said confidently.
Priya gave a firm nod. "Understood, Your Highness. I'll relay the message to Venkatesh immediately."
As she turned to leave, she hesitated. "There's also an update on the military research base," she added. "It is scheduled for completion by May next year."
Krishna Deva Raya nodded. "Good. This isn't something we can rush, but it will be worth the wait."
Priya bowed slightly before exiting the room, leaving Krishna Deva Raya alone with his thoughts.
The empire's entertainment industry was flourishing, its military advancements were progressing, and soon, it would redefine theme parks as well.
Everything was falling into place.
And this was just the beginning