ZEE5 expands KidZ slate with mythological animation Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka

MUMBAI: ZEE5 is turning over a new mythological leaf for young viewers. ZEE5 has expanded its children’s offering with the launch of Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka, an original animated series inspired by Indian mythology that will premiere on July 17.

The show, part of the platform’s KidZ vertical, is adapted from Anand Neelakantan’s bestselling children’s book, The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids. It follows the adventures of mischievous Asura twins Kundakka and Mandakka as they embark on a journey of courage, friendship and self-discovery.

Unlike traditional retellings centred on the Ramayana or Mahabharata, the series explores lesser-known mythological worlds and characters, combining humour, action and vibrant animation for young audiences.

Available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla and English, the series is designed as the beginning of a larger mythology-inspired franchise that ZEE5 plans to expand with new characters and storylines.

ZEE5, business head, KidZ, Chandan Khandelwal said the platform aims to reintroduce Indian mythology to children through contemporary storytelling.

“At ZEE5, we believe some of the most enduring stories are those that have been cherished across generations, and we’re excited to collaborate with celebrated storytellers like Anand Neelakantan to bring these worlds to life for today’s young audiences. With Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka, we wanted to take families beyond the mythology they already know and introduce them to a fresh universe filled with memorable characters, humour, adventure and timeless values,” he said.

Khandelwal added that the series combines mythology with high-quality animation to create a co-viewing experience for both children and parents while supporting the platform’s strategy of building homegrown children’s franchises.

Author Anand Neelakantan welcomed the adaptation, saying he was pleased to see his stories reach a wider audience through animation.

“I hope young audiences enjoy following Kundakka and Mandakka’s adventures on screen as much as I enjoyed creating them. It is heartening to see these mischievous characters and their world find a new life through animation,” he said.

The launch comes as streaming platforms continue to invest in original children’s programming rooted in Indian culture, with mythology emerging as a key genre for creating long-term family entertainment franchises.