MAM
BKN New Media unveils two animated properties at Mipcom 2006
MUMBAI: BKN New Media Ltd, a animation company engaged in the production and distribution of animated children’s television programmes and related consumer products, unveiled two of it’s new animated TV series, Zorro – Generation Z and Dork Hunters from Outer Space at Mipcom 2006.
As announced by BKN Group CEO Allen Bohbot, Zorro – Generation Z is an animated action adventure series, while Dork Hunters from Outer Space is an animated action comedy series.
BKN will be handling all TV and DVD distribution as well as merchandising and licensing rights worldwide. BKN is planning a strong marketing and advertising campaign for the brand targeting the trade and consumers for this major launch supported in part by toys, videogames and on-line activities, informs an official release.
Zorro – Generation Z, is co-produced by BKN New Media Ltd (UK) and BKN New Media (Spain), sets Zorro in the present with modern-day themed adventures in a fast-paced format. Diego de la Vega is a descendant of Zorro’s past who has a reason once again to pick up the mantle when the city of his birth grows increasingly corrupt. Zorro fights crime on a cool black motorcycle called the Tornado-Z. His crime fighting tools include a Z-Pod, Z-Phone and other surprises befitting of a modern day hero. Expect new renditions of established Zorro characters along with some new additions, including a fellow female freshman, The Scarlet Whip, who also rides the night in a scarlet cape. The melding of an historic legend with powers, high tech gadgetry and vehicles of the modern-day super-hero as the all new El Zorro rides again, adds the release.
The Dork Hunters from Outer Space has been produced by BKN International AG, follows the adventures of Mac, Nikki , Romeo, and their earthbound friends Eddie and Angie, as they take on the nastiest, interplanetary villains ever to hide out on Planet Earth – The Dorks.
Brands
Nykaa eyes majority stake in Deepika Padukone’s 82°E brand
Deal could help scale premium label as Nykaa sharpens its beauty play
MUMBAI: Nykaa is in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in 82°E, the premium skincare label founded by Deepika Padukone, according to media reports.
The proposed deal signals Nykaa’s intent to deepen its House of Nykaa portfolio while giving 82°E the scale it has struggled to achieve independently. Padukone is expected to retain a minority stake if the transaction goes through.
For Nykaa, the play is both strategic and timely. With a customer base of over 42 million, the company is betting on its strong distribution, logistics, and repeat purchase ecosystem to revive the brand’s momentum. The two sides already share a working relationship, with Padukone serving as Nykaa’s global brand ambassador since September 2025.
Launched in late 2022, 82°E entered the market with a premium positioning but has faced headwinds. The brand reported revenue of Rs 14.7 crore in FY25, down 30 per cent year on year, alongside losses of Rs 12.26 crore. Industry observers have pointed to steep pricing, a somewhat diffused brand identity, and intense competition from digital-first labels as key challenges.
The potential acquisition also reflects a broader shift in India’s beauty and lifestyle space, where celebrity-led brands are increasingly partnering with larger corporates to unlock scale. Alia Bhatt’s Ed-a-Mamma, for instance, sold a majority stake to Reliance Retail, while Katrina Kaif’s Kay Beauty has emerged as a standout success within Nykaa’s portfolio, clocking Rs 132.4 crore in FY25 revenue.
Nykaa itself has been on a strong growth trajectory. Its parent, FSN E-Commerce Ventures, reported a 156 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 68 crore in the December 2025 quarter, with revenue reaching Rs 2,873 crore.
Nykaa has been steadily building its portfolio through acquisitions such as Dot & Key, Earth Rhythm and Nudge Wellness, signalling a clear push to own and scale homegrown brands.
If the 82°E deal materialises, it could mark a fresh chapter for the label, blending celebrity appeal with corporate muscle. For Nykaa, it is another calculated step in staying ahead in an increasingly crowded beauty aisle.
