Kids
Disney’s Eisner receives honorary doctorate from California State University
MUMBAI: The Walt Disney Company CEO Michael D. Eisner was conferred an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree by the California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
Eisner received his degree during commencement ceremonies for the university’s College of Education, which is named in his honor.
“It has been a thrill for me and for my family to be associated with CSUN. There is no more important mission for any society than the education of its youth. It is here that the teachers of the future are being educated, and I’m truly honored to play a role in this process,” Eisner said during the ceremony.
In 2003, CSUN — which trains more teachers than any other public university in California and is nationally known for its innovative programs — dedicated the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, the first time in its history that the university named a college after an individual.
The Eisner Foundation, founded by Eisner and his wife Jane, awarded CSUN a $7 million grant to establish the college of education’s new Center for Teaching and Learning. The Center provides national leadership in preparing teachers to support the educational and emotional needs of all children in the classroom.
CSUN president Jolene Koester conferred the degree on Eisner saying, “Michael Eisner and his wife, Jane, through their foundation, have demonstrated a commitment to education and the belief that all students deserve an opportunity to learn. This goes to the core of what our College of Education strives for. I am delighted that we are honoring such an extraordinary individual.”
Eisner, who has served as The Walt Disney Company’s CEO since 1984, received his B.A. in English literature and theater from Denison University. He serves on numerous boards, including the California Institute of the Arts, the American Hospital of Paris Foundation, the Aspen Institute, the UCLA Executive Board for Medical Science, the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation and that of his alma mater, Denison University. He is also a member of The Business Council. This is Eisner’s first honorary degree.
The Eisner Foundation provides financial support to organisations that undertake innovative and concrete programs designed to enhance and enrich the lives of children who are underserved, or who have learning differences, and their families. The Foundation recognises that all aspects of a child’s life are linked to their community including personal health, economic stability, appropriate mentors, living conditions and educational opportunities.
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.
