Kids
Hema Govindan heads Nick; two more senior level appointments made
MUMBAI: MTV India has roped in Hema Govindan as general manager heading their kids’ channel Nick.
Govindan comes to Nick from Walt Disney Television International (India) where she was head of marketing and communications. She will be heading all aspects of the channel’s business in India.
Nick has also roped in Shaalu Wadhwa as director marketing as well as Channel [V] Australia executive producer Ben Richardson as director – content and creative. Nick is also in the process of finalising an ad sales director for the channel. Wadhwa, Richardson and the new ad sales director will be reporting in to Govindan.
One immediate fallout of Govindan’s joining, which was finalised last week, is that Nick India director business and operations Pradeep Hejmadi has put in his papers.
Nickelodeon Asia Pacific senior vice president and general manager Catherine Nebauer said, “In keeping with our aggressive plans for Nick, it was imperative that Nick’s team structure be aligned with its business objectives. These appointments mark the beginning of Nick’s second phase of growth and momentum in India and we are confident that Hema and her team will drive connectivity with kids in India to the Nickelodeon brand offering.”
Govindan said, “Kids’ television has become something of a life mission for me over the past decade. I am absolutely delighted to be continuing my work in the kids’ space with Nick. Nickelodeon has been a pioneering kids’ TV destination across the globe and has immense potential in India. It is great to be a part of Nick’s drive to win the hearts of Indian kids.”
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.
