Kids
Disney India announces Siddharth Roy Kapur to replace Ronnie Screwvala
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) today announced that Managing Director Ronnie Screwvala will step down on 30th June 2014 and Siddharth Roy Kapur, currently Managing Director of Disney UTV’s studio’s business, will take over the Company’s India operations. Siddharth Roy Kapur will become managing director of TWDC India effective 1st January 2014, and Ronnie will assist in the transition until 30th June 2014.
Ronnie, started off as a local cable TV operator in Mumbai with cable TV service under the name ‘Network’ in 1981. He then went to work with Western Outdoor Studios and then started UTV Software Communications in 1990 along with Zarina Mehta, and Deven Khote. It was in February 2012 that the Walt Disney Company acquired a controlling interest in UTV by buying out Screwvala and other shareholders interest and it later even delisted it from the stock market. Since then he has been ranked among the most influential people by several publication right from Time magazine to Esquire and what have you.
Ronnie is throwing an early farewell party tonight for his colleagues at his south Mumbai residence. A well deserved celebration if there ever was one!
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.
