Kids
Disney to launch second local product ‘Dhoom Machaao Dhoom’
MUMBAI: As part of their five ‘local production’ roll out strategy, Disney has announced the launch of its second home grown production, Dhoom Machaao Dhoom, to premiere on 8 January in Disney Channel.
This is Disney’s first original daily show for the tweens and the creative is handled by Show M, a joint venture between Ravina Raj Kohli’s production house Sundail.
As opposed to the first attempt with Vicky Aur Vetaal, the channel is beefing up its localisation plan by introducing the second product as a ‘daily’ (Monday to Thursday 7:30 pm). The third original live-action production is expected in April next year.
Specifically, eyeing live-action as a potent mechanism and the way ahead for Disney Channel, Walt Disney Television International (India) executive director Nachiket Pantvaidya believes that the channel requires a blend of local faces to be incorporated into the live action being introduced.
As reported earlier, an emerging trend in kids television viewing suggests that the space is now inviting a large number of older girls (10 – 14 year old) as opposed to a previously a male dominated viewership attracted to action and cartoon based themes. In this respect, the channel is clearly trying to capitalize on these findings.
With Dhoom Machaao Dhoom Disney Channel promises that it will now churn out 30 hours of locally produced content per week, moving towards its target of 130 hours. This is an important step towards building the channel’s viewership.
The show is based on two core ideas – music and dance, which seems to have got reckoning from Indian kids following Disney’s interschool on ground activity, an adaptation the High School Musical, My School Rocks. Although, the theme seems to have a strong American resemblance, Dhoom Machaao Dhoom tells the story of four young girls who have teamed up to form a band. However, it will tackle issues often faced by teenagers like personality clashes, friendships and family influences.
Kohli is of the opinion that the show has the potential to go beyond from being just a show, but rather to become a revolution! She believes kids programming should not merely cater to kids but to families at large. The challenge would be to drive kids from being ‘default watchers’ on GEC’s, movies and sports channels to come to kids channels.
The marketing campaign for the daily show is, for the first time resorting to print, in addition to the expected multi media activity on outdoor, television, radio and internet.
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’s Shreya Ghoshal voice will feature in the show along with musician Shantanu Moitra’s. The pilot episode also includes a special performance by new kid on the block Sanchita, the winner of Lil’ Champ’s contest on Zee TV.
“Following the success of the first local production ‘Vicky Aur Vetaal’ earlier this year, Disney Channel seeks to further strengthen its already robust connection with kids and their families with this cool and contemporary show”, says Pantvaidya. “We are a committed local player in the kid’s entertainment space and ‘Dhoom Machaao Dhoom’ is our next strong bid to showcase all that Disney Channel stands for.”
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.
