The series and movie will feature a combination of live action and animation. They include actual studio sets used as animation backgrounds, a furry computer graphics creature and 2D-animated characters. Hamburg-based YOUA Edutainment, National Geographic, and German broadcaster ZDF will co-produce the series and movie.

Nipuna will provide VFX, CGI, 3D and 2D animation services, including pre-production, production, and post-production, from its state-of-the-art studio in Chennai. Other animation artists will also collaborate from Hamburg and Berlin for this project delivery.

"This partnership reflects a growing trend toward corporatisation in the animation industry, which is leading to increasingly significant opportunities," said Venkatesh Roddam, Nipuna's chief executive officer.

Meanwhile, Nipuna continues to grow. In the last several years, it has built significant VFX, CGI, and 3D animation skills by producing numerous global and domestic films. Among the more than 40 Indian films for which it has handled animation projects are Sainikudu, Stalin, Pokhiri, and Belly Full of Dreams.

Nipuna also provides artwork and visualization services involving 2D and/or 3D animation techniques and processes to customers in the engineering, architectural, and medical industries. In addition, earlier this year, Nipuna signed a $8-million deal with 4K Animation GmbH to provide animation services for a movie to be produced in Hollywood, California.