Kids
Disney & Payless ShoeSource join hands for character-based footwear range
MUMBAI: Disney and Payless ShoeSource have announced their plans to develop their first ‘direct-to-retail’ licensed footwear collection. The multi-year deal will bring together the Payless and Disney design teams to create a special line of fun, high-quality footwear styles featuring Disney and Disney Pixar characters. Payless will source, market and sell the line through its nearly 4,600 store chain and on Payless.com.
Payless has sold Disney-themed footwear and accessories for several years; however, the two companies will now work more closely on shoe design, creative direction and retail marketing.
As a result of this collaboration, the character styles will include: Disney Princess — Disney’s $3.4 billion girl’s lifestyle brand, Power Rangers, Winnie the Pooh and an assortment of Disney Pixar characters from The Incredibles and Finding Nemo. The first products are currently scheduled to be in stores in Spring 2007 with an expanded line in time for next year’s back-to-school season, states an official release.
“Payless is ideal for our first direct-to-retail footwear collaboration because the company is well-aligned with Disney’s goal to create quality, on-trend products for kids and families,” said Disney Consumer Products chairman Andy Mooney. “Being closely involved with the shoe design process is a significant step for us, and we plan to have a truly integrated relationship with Payless, the nation’s leading footwear retailer, from creative to point of sale.”
“Payless’ mission is to democratize fashion and design in footwear and accessories for the family and this new Disney collection will platform us to achieve our mission,” said Payless ShoeSource CEO Matt Rubel. “Payless is the number one footwear retailer for kids’ shoes; Disney is a premier kids’ brand company. Together, we’ll create a fun, exciting and creative line that will inspire kids, while allowing parents to pay less.”
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.
