Kids
DQE, Classic Media ink co-development deal
MUMBAI: Animation, gaming and entertainment company DQ Entertainment (DQE) has partnered with US-based Classic Media to co-develop an animated TV series based on the legendary character Lassie. Under the agreement, DQE will not only co-produce the series along with Classic Media (owner of the Lassie brand) and its affiliate in France and Ireland, but will also be able to commercially exploit the brand along with the partners.
French broadcaster M6 and German broadcaster ZDF will be the broadcast partners for this new project. |
Says DQ Entertainment chairman & CEO Tapaas Chakravarti, “Our association as production and distribution partners with Classic Media after the successful debut of CGI “Casper‘s Scare School” now gets into another long term artistically and commercially fruitful relationship with the co-development of TV series in 3D animation. We are also happy that we will draw on the creative and commercial experience of Classic Media, M6 and ZDF Group along with our other French and Irish affiliates for this co-development.” Lassie, a brave and loyal collie dog, first appeared in Eric Knight‘s 1940 novel, Lassie Come-Home. She was so well received that, in 1943, MGM Studios debuted the canine heroine in her first silver-screen appearance alongside Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor, followed by 10 more feature films in the 40s and 50s -the first eight of which grossed over $285 million.In 1954, Lassie made her small-screen debut in an Emmy® Award-winning television series that continued to air for 19 seasons – making it one of longest-running series in television history.
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.
