Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha is set to make an animation film, Shlok, featuring a teenage superhero. Sinha, who got a taste of animation during the making of his last release Cash, has been busy creating the teenage superhero, Shlok along with a bunch of high-profile animators. "We have just finalised his face and hairstyle." says Sinha. It's a lesser-known fact that the film is Sinha's gift to his five-and-a-half-year-old son Shlok.

The dearth of Indian comic book superheroes has prompted the father to create one. Sinha's superhero is far from a contemporary boy-next-door who slips into a black mask and a flapping overcoat. Shlok is set during the 3000 BC, and naturally the superhero will use ancient war weapons to fight off the evils. Says Sinha, "As a child I have grown up on comic book characters like Chacha Chowdhury and Saboo. It's unfortunate that my son only gets to see and read about Hollywood superheroes. This prompted me to create an ancient superhero that is only 15 years old and is powerful in his own ways."

His son Shlok is excited about his daddy's super-gift but somehow prefers Batman. Adds Sinha, "He tells me that Batman is the best. But now, I have asked him to watch out for my creation."

The film is, however, going to release in early 2009. Sinha says that tough days are ahead. The biggest challenge has been creating Shlok. "Shlok is a cool action hero. But I cannot make him look cool by dressing him up in denims and glares. He belongs to a bygone era and we have to dress him accordingly."