When I was married in India 25 years ago, my husband’s young cousin sat down shyly next to me and asked if I had heard of Tintin comics. I had not read them growing up in Canada but fortunately, during a summer trip to India, I came across a couple that my uncles had left behind in my grandmother’s house in Mumbai. So, wanting to make a good impression on my new family’s youngest member, I said, “Oh yes, I love Tintin comics.” Without hesitating, he asked, “Which one is your favorite?”

Indian men have long had a love affair with the European roving reporter Tintin, whose story is told in  a series of adventures. From the 1960s to the 80s, several generations of Indian boys who read English grew up devouring these comic books, with characters like Tintin’s faithful companion Snowy the dog, the brilliant Professor Calculus, and the blustering Captain Haddock. They would wait eagerly for the next story to come out. And when it did, those that could afford it, bought it immediately from one of the better bookstores in town. Some waited for a doting relative to bring it back from abroad. Others trawled pavement booksellers for a used copy. The rest begged, borrowed, and stole. Once they had their hands on one, they could retire to a cool, quiet corner of their home and spend the afternoon cocooned in a wonderful other world.

Why was Tintin immensely popular in India in those decades? First and foremost, these were well-written, smart, fast-paced adventure stories: Tintin’s profession as a journalist seemed merely a cover to let him tinker in a new Indiana Jones type plot in each issue. The graphics were clean, detailed, and attractive – possibly also making these comics a steppingstone for younger kids learning to read English. With his petite wiry frame and his boyish cowlick, he could have passed for a teenager – someone all youngsters wanted to see themselves in.

Although Tintin had a healthy share of girl readers – particularly the tomboy types who loved an adventure story – it was only natural that he should appeal more to young boys. Each story took place in a different and exotic locale that its readers could only dream about visiting. And in those days, there were fewer English books (and, indeed, children’s books) available for children in India, few works of American children’s authors entered the country, and Indian authors tended to largely focus on re-telling moralistic tales such as Aesop’s fables, the epics, and the Panchatantra.

So together with a few stalwart British authors like Enid Blyton and her Famous Five, Frank Richards and his Billy Bunter, Captain W.E. Johns and his Biggles, Belgian Georges Remi (pen name Hergé) and his young investigative reporter Tintin captured the minds and hearts of Indian children.

Now, Steven Spielberg has combined three of Tintin’s stories to create his movie “The Adventures of Tintin.” It opened in India in mid-November, and had the highest grossing opening for any animated film in India. It was released in 350 theaters, in English and Hindi, in 3D and 2D. Indian audiences are flocking to the cinemas in droves, many of them men nostalgically reliving the happy afternoons of their childhood. Spielberg’s strategy of opening earlier in India (mid-November) and later in the U.S. (just before Christmas) seems to have been a smart one. No doubt middle-age men of the Indian diaspora will be leading the Christmas rush to the theaters there and could create sufficient momentum to make it a top grossing movie.

But for now, all the action is in India. Several of my friends are going to see the movie this weekend, and some are even bringing their kids along. I’m sure my husband’s cousin, now nearly 40, will take his young son to see the movie. And I plan to go, too – as much to watch the movie as the audience, both old and young.

Some Indian children of today may have read their father’s tattered copies of Tintin, in between volumes of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Others may be meeting Tintin for the first time and it will be interesting to see what they make of him. Spielberg’s movie will either help create a new generation of Indian Tintin fans or a generation of Indian boys who will grow up remembering a wonderful night they saw a movie their fathers adored.

Ranjani Iyer Mohanty is a writer and a business/academic editor. After living and working in Canada, England, the Netherlands, and Portugal, she is now based in New Delhi.

The prelude to awards season has begun with the 69th annual Golden Globe nominations, announced Thursday.

Singled out was the "The Artist" (six nods) and "The Descendants" (five nods) in categories including Best Motion Picture-Drama and Best Director. Miniseries "Downton Abbey" and "Mildred Pierce" led the way on the TV front with four noms each, followed by "Boardwalk Empire" and "Modern Family."

Actresses Claire Danes ("Homeland"), Julianna Margulies ("The Good Wife'") and Madeleine Stowe ("Revenge") also received acting nominations in the Television Drama category.

For film, George Clooney and George Clooney Jr., er, Ryan Gosling led the acting categories with multiple nods each. Clooney scored recognition for Best Director and Original Screenplay ("Ides of March") and Drama Actor ("The Descendants").

Gosling will go up against his "Ides" co-star for Best Drama Actor and also scored an unexpected nod for his turn in the bland rom-com "Crazy Stupid Love." The Globes air Jan. 15 on NBC and will be hosted by Ricky Gervais.
Here are a few top categories:

Best Motion Picture-Drama
"The Descendants"
"The Help"
"Hugo"
"The Ides of March"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"

Best TV Series-Drama
"American Horror Story"
"Boardwalk Empire"
"Boss"
"Game of Thrones"
"Homeland"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Leonardo DiCaprio, "J. Edgar"
Michael Fassbender, "Shame"
Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical
"50/50"
"The Artist"
"Bridesmaids"
"Midnight in Paris"
"My Week With Marilyn"

Best TV Series-Comedy or Musical
"Enlightened"
"Episodes"
"Glee"
"Modern Family"
"New Girl"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Drama
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Tilda Swinton, "We Need to Talk About Kevin"

Release Date: 21 December 2011, 16 December 2011 (IMAX)
Genre: Action | Adventure | Thriller 
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton
Directors: Brad Bird
Writer: Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Plot:
The IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name.

Promotional wave: Hollywood favourite Tom Cruise waved at fans outside the Taj Mahal as he promoted Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol in India today