CRAV to produce quality animation films; Nivin Pauly steps into role of entrepreneur

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Nivin Pauly has stepped into the role of an entrepreneur with the aim of producing quality animation films in Malayalam. Through a startup named CRAV, the goal is to create animation films and games from Kerala. The logo of CRAV was unveiled by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Huddle Kerala 2025 event held in Kovalam.

The startup aims to identify developers from Kerala and support them in developing animation films and games. CRAV will provide the required infrastructure, and the projects will be released in the names of the developers themselves. CRAV will earn royalties from these works.

Growing acceptance for animation in Kerala

Nivin has launched the startup in partnership with Ramees Ali, a native of Areekode in Malappuram, who has over six years of experience in the startup sector. Nivin, who had a long-standing interest in startups, met Ramees about a year ago at an event organised by the Kerala Startup Mission. Nivin said that although children and audiences in Kerala enjoy animation films, very few quality animation movies are being made in the state. He added that while he discussed the possibilities of animation cinema with many people, few were willing to take the initiative. CRAV will be headquartered in Kochi.

Focus on Kerala’s storytellers and directors

CRAV aims to bring together talented storytellers and animation directors from Kerala. At a time when Malayalam cinema is gaining global recognition, Nivin and his team want to tap into the vast potential of the animation sector. He pointed out that although many Malayalis have worked on major international films, including Avatar, those achievements did not fully benefit Kerala. CRAV hopes to change this by creating animation films rooted in Kerala and made from within the state.