Kids
Movie acquisition costs up, channels innovate
MUMBAI: Hindi movie channels are feeling the heat of high acquisition cost as competition among them to grab eyeballs is intensifying.
Max has done the bulk of the purchase this year, mopping up movies from Yash Raj and Eros. The kitty includes Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Partner, Gandhi my Father, No smoking, Cheeni Kum, Eklavya, Salaam e Ishq and Provoked.
Being enthused by the rich list, Max, in fact, has started screening in June “Saal ke sabse bade blockbusters.”
Says Max business head Sneha Rajani, “The Saal Ke Sabse Bade Blockbusters reinforces the fact that Max is the ultimate destination for the latest and the biggest movies on television. The big blockbusters on Max are sure to enthrall viewers and re-enforce Max‘s commitment of fuelling their passion for movies.”
As reported by Indiantelevision.com earlier, Sony has pumped in Rs 650 million for a 16-movie deal with Eros. The package also includes yet to be released films like Nanhe Jaisalmer, Buddha Mar Gaya, Chess – A Game Plan, Friends For Ever, Mr Black Mr White, Mr Hot Mr Kool and Aur Pappu Paas Ho Gaya.
Sony‘s aggressive buying has put pressure on prices. Filmy has renewed its movie acquisition after a gap, making three purchases this year. Super hit Guru, Nishabd and Umrao Jaan have come at a price tag of around Rs 130 million.
Says Filmy marketing and content head Shailesh Kapoor, “It is a strategic acquisition as all these movies have the Bachchan family in them.”
Zee Cinema has taken a relatively cautious route, acquiring just three movies this year – Big Brother, Nehle pe Dehla and Fool n Final.
Says Zee Cinema deputy business head Mohan Gopinath, “These are all independent acquisitions and we have not aligned with any film production house.”
The channel will screen Big Brother and Nehle pe Dehla in July, followed by Fool n Final in August.
Star India, on the other hand, has this year acquired satellite telecast rights for My Friend Ganesha, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd and Bhagam Bhaag.
Even as buying rights have gone up, channels have been innovative. Zee Cinema, for instance, has started screening a series of mythologicals under the Bhakti Ki Shakti branded block on Sunday mornings. Filmy has been quick to bank on the Rajnikant wave following the release of Sivaji and acquired some Tamil movies of the superstar which it will dub in Hindi and telecast. The purchase, however, excludes Sivaji. Says Filmy business head Ashutosh, “Looking at the performance of Sivaji, we anticipated the popularity of Rajnikanth and therefore caught up with this idea.” Filmy has also acquired Bhojpuri films and already shown Ganga. So do the big titles only work? Says Gopinath, “They definitely help in strengthening the channel‘s position but only if they are promoted strategically.”
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.
