Kids
SpongeBob Adapted for Bollywood Short
MUMBAI: To celebrate the tenth anniversary of its SpongeBob SquarePants property, Nickelodeon UK has produced a live-action Bollywood-style two-minute film, Bollywood Bob that is choreographed by Slumdog Millionaire‘s Longinus Fernandes.
The film, also developed in a shorter 30-second advertisement format, has started airing across Nickelodeon UK network starting 14 November, with back-to-back episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants all weekend.
Bollywood Bob will then be shown across the global Nickelodeon network. The 30-second version is scheduled to run in Vue and Cineworld cinemas nationwide from 13 November to January 1 next year around seasonal releases such as A Christmas Carol, Planet 51, Where the Wild Things Are, Alvin and the Chipmunks II and St Trinians 2.
Bollywood Bob, produced by Nickelodeon UK in collaboration with Nickelodeon International and Nickelodeon India creative teams tells the story of Rohan, who tentatively enters a magnificent palace in the heart of Bollywood territory (just outside Mumbai) to present a King with a golden sponge.
As he accepts the sponge a spectacular dance, involving his entire court, ensues.
The film also includes a Bangra-style SpongeBob theme song arranged by Akbar Sami and Firoze Patel.
Said Nickelodeon UK‘s VP creative director Peter Drake, “Bollywood Bob is the genuine global culmination of ‘Year of the Sponge.‘ It is the most spectacular expression of regional cultures‘ celebration and love of SpongeBob, and furthers his credibility as a lifestyle icon.”
“This unique work pushes the boundaries and challenges the norm, extending SpongeBob appeal way beyond the core Nickelodeon audience. He is one of the few animation characters that can do this so effectively,” he added.
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.
