Kids
Zee TV to launch DTH-specific kids channel Space Toons
CANNES: Zee TV group outfit Padmalya Telefilms will be developing a kids channel as part its relationship with Italian firm Mondo TV. The channel called Space Toons it is slated to launch some time in August.
The channel has been designed as a formatted channel with different ‘planets’ representing various programming genres – Mercury for science, Mars for action etc. There will be a retail operation that extends the format brands into the Indian market. The announcement was made at MipTV in Cannes.
According to Mondo’s vice-president Ricky Corradi the company is seriously interested in the Indian market. Its agreement with the Zee TV group includes an investment of $14 million in India, the production of four animation series in five years. Among the series that it will produce include Sindbad, Fab Five (26×30), and Panchatantra. In return Padmalaya will distribute Mondo’s library in India in a deal reputed to be in excess of $five million.
The new channel will be put on the Zee TV group’s DishTV and Punit Goenka who heads the DTH platform says, “We are hungry for content and Mondo is one of the few companies in the world that has a library big enough to feed that hunger.”
PADMALAYA STRIKES DEAL WITH MALLARD, EALING
After its mega-deal with Mondo, Padmalaya has bagged another big order from Europe. It is joining hands with Mallard Media of Scotland and Ealing Animation of UK to produce 52 episodes of 10 minutes each in a deal worth $ 5.2 million.
A new animation series from the Aberdeen-based Mallard Media relates to the various exploits of two highland bulls called Clootie and Dumpling, and was launched at the ongoing MIPTV.
During MIPTV, Padmalaya , Ealing Animation and Mallard Media will be meeting with broadcasters and buyers interested in projects that have a strong merchandising potential combined with an underlying educational purpose.
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.
