PVR breaks Indian Miyazaki fans’ hearts with latest The Boy and the Heron news

According to sources, Indian fans of Miyazaki may experience a delay in the release of The Boy and the Heron, as PVR has announced that they will not be showing the film in theaters.

The Boy and the Heron gained widespread recognition through its numerous awards and nominations. Its worldwide release captured the hearts of millions, but it is unfortunate that Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece may not reach audiences in India.

The reasons for this decision are still unknown, but the news of it had already been announced at the time of writing this article.

The Unlikely Release of The Boy and the Heron in Indian Cinemas

According to a statement from a PVR Pictures spokesperson, the company has officially confirmed that The Boy and the Heron will not be released in Indian theatres. This announcement was made following IGN India’s report on the matter.

“We can only say that Miyazaki’s How Do You Live (original title for The Boy and the Heron) will not be releasing theatrically in India through us. Also, there are no expectations for its release anymore as it will be coming on Netflix. We understand it is disappointing for the fans and even for us, but the actual reason is not known.”

According to additional sources, the likelihood of Hayao Miyazaki’s upcoming film being released in India is low. This contradicts the previous confirmation that the movie was set to hit Indian screens. Encore Films, a film distribution company based in Singapore, had originally taken on the task of bringing the film to Indian theaters. However, there have been no recent updates on the progress of this endeavor.

Furthermore, as part of a new agreement between Goodfellas and GKIDS, Netflix was authorized to stream the film internationally, excluding Japan. The movie was initially released in Japan on July 14 and within the first three days, it sold nearly 1 million tickets and earned approximately US$13.2 million. During the weekend, it reportedly sold 1.3 million tickets and grossed around US$15.53 million.

The film holds the 59th spot on the list of highest-grossing films in Japan and is also the third highest-grossing Japanese domestic film of 2023. In addition, it won the award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards in March.

Storyline

Despite the passing of his mother, 12-year-old Mahito is determined to adjust to his new town. His determination is put to the test when a talking Heron reveals the possibility of his mother still being alive. In a daring move, Mahito enters an abandoned tower that serves as a portal to another realm in search of his mother.

The movie boasts an impressive lineup of actors for both the subtitled and dubbed versions. The sub features talented individuals such as Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Ko Shibasaki, Yoshino Kimura, and Aimyon. The dub, on the other hand, features the voices of Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Karen Fukuhara, and many others.

Ultimately, it comes as no surprise that Hayao Miyazaki’s film was a resounding success due to its stunning visuals and captivating music. These elements played a crucial role in making it a masterpiece.