Kids
DQE turns co-producer and licenser
MUMBAI: Synonymous with producing iconic properties like The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Lassie, The Little Prince, Charlie Chaplin and Robin Hood, DQ Entertainment is now all set to add its co-production line-up.
Among the new titles, a CGI children’s animated series called Yonaguni will be co-produced by DQ with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and Rollman Entertainment, Burbank, USA. The production and distribution group will also co-produce 7 Dwarfs and Me and the second season of The New Adventures of Peter Pan, and 5 Children and It with Method Animation, France.
DQ sealed the deals during its second fiscal quarter ended 30 September, 2013 and at the recently concluded MIPCOM at Cannes.
“The gross value of these co-production and licensing deals between partners is approximately Rs 2, 220 million, of which, approximately Rs 720 million is attributable to DQE and expected to be accrued as revenue over the next fiscal year ending 31 March 2015,” says DQ Entertainment CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.
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Sneak peek at the licensing deals: 1. Discovery Children’s channel has acquired the broadcast rights for Robin Hood animated series for the Indian sub-continent. |
Like Yonaguni, 5 Children and It too is a CGI children’s animated series comprising 52 11′ episodes while 7 Dwarfs and Me, a combination of CGI and live action images, is a hybrid animation show. The second season of The New Adventures of Peter Pan rides on the success of the first season of the Peter Pan television series that was distributed in over 100 countries, being one of the highest rated TV series in France, Germany and Italy.
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Sky Italia, Discovery Kids, Nick India and Rai Cinema among others have acquired the broadcast rights for various properties produced by DQE says Tapaas Chakravarti
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But how does the new portfolio fit into the company’s profile? “7 Dwarfs and Me, The New Adventures of Peter Pan 2 and 5 Children and It, fit in very nicely with the DQ portfolio of iconic properties. Also Yonaguni is an underwater adventure with SeaWorld theme parks from the US,” says Chakravarti, adding that the company is expected to enter production shortly for delivery in 2015.
Co-production apart, DQ has also concluded several licensing deals. “Various well-known broadcasters such as Sky Italia, Discovery Kids, Nick India and Rai Cinema, among others, have acquired the broadcast rights for various properties produced by DQE,” says Chakravarti and adds, “The categories of the licensing deals vary from broadcast and music rights to character licensing for manufacture of merchandise such as toys, clothes etc.”
This year, DQ has entered Latin American countries through its flagship intellectual property, The Jungle Book. “Globosat-Brazil, Cannal Encuentro-Argentina and Televisa-Mexico have already acquired the broadcast rights of the property while DQE’s other properties are also expected to make entry into these markets soon,” says Chakravarti.
In addition, DQ is working on ways to leverage its large library of properties through SVOD and mobile platforms. “We are currently in discussion with YouTube to find ways of monetising animated content through a dedicated channel showcasing our global and domestic properties. We believe these platforms will play a very significant role in reaching a large and diversified audience in the future,” says Chakravarti.
The company has also launched a game app of its IP, The Jungle Book, called ‘The Great Escape’ for the android platform. “We plan to launch similar games and apps on android and iOS platforms for other IPs such as Peter Pan, 5 Children and It etc. soon,” he adds.
It is learnt that the production deals will add to the bottom line of the company, first quarter of the next fiscal year onward, while realisation of the licensing and broadcast revenues is expected to continue through the subsequent quarters.
In case you thought that’s it, the company has some more production and licensing deals waiting in the wings…
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
