Kids
Celador to develop pre school animation series
MUMBAI: International media company Celador International has announced the development and launch of a pre-school animated comedy (not so) Scary Monsters. Once completed, this new series targeted at kids aged between two and five years old, will be licensed and distributed globally by Celador International.
The company already works in partnership with the brand creators, The Monster Factory, to license (not so) Scary Monster consumer products and interactive media worldwide.
Conceived by The Monster Factory in 2002, the (not so) Scary Monsters are a colourful bunch of monstrously appealing new characters, who already exist in a collection of colourful mini gift children’s books published by Hodder Children’s Books. Children find their blundering, burping antics hilarious, delighting in their mishaps and practical jokes. Some creatures are cute, some revel in being revolting – but all of them are instantly (not so) Scary.
The (not so) Scary Monsters animation will be set in the farthest, most forgotten corner of our world, the (not so) Scary Monsters world, where wonderful creatures lollop and play under colourful skies, making all manner of monstrous fun. Some giant monsters rock happily in cave hammocks, letting out thunderous guffaws. Other tiny ones like to tiptoe up and roly-poly down the (not so) Scary Monster hills.
Malcolm is a birthday-loving big-hearted monster. He fills his days by choosing presents for his friends, family, even monsters he doesn’t know. Benjamina is a cheeky monster who just loves mischief. From breakfast to bedtime she’s out playing practical jokes. Bobba is a bouncy monster. This fuzzy monster baby does daring monster dives, performing sky-high somersaults and mid-air roly-polies. Flora is a girlie monster who adores pink things, stripy tights and glitter, and having tea parties with her (not so) Scary Monster friends.
Egbert is a noisy monster who guffaws loudly at everything and anything. He loves to have deafening beastie fun. Meanwhile Wilf can’t help landing in the most peculiar pickles. He is a mixed-up muddly monster, whose world is totally topsy-turvy. Otto is a squidgy, tender-hearted Love Monster with a pink antenna that lights up whenever his heart tingles. Polly is a happy-go-lucky jolly monster, who loves laughing. She skips around spreading (not so) Scary Monster sunshine.
Celador International head kids programming Cathy Laughton says, “The (not so) Scary Monsters are a bunch of quirky, curiously comical and cute creatures who are perfect for development into a television series. Celador International Kids are extremely excited about this project. The series will make children giggle. Our (not so) Scary Monsters are misfits finding their place in the world, and learning to form relationships outside the home.”
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.
