Kids
Jim Henson’s muppets get stamps of approval on 50th anniversary
MUMBAI: A few days ago Jim Henson and his beloved Muppets were immortalised on US postage stamps in Los Angeles at the Academy of the Television Arts & Sciences (Atas).
The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Jim Henson: The Man Behind the Muppets commemorative stamp sheet coincides with the 50th anniversary of Henson’s most famous Muppet, Kermit the Frog.
US Postal Service chief marketing officer and executive VP Anita Bizzotto said, “The strong legacy of family fun Jim Henson created still resonates around the world. When people see the stamps, they will be a reminder of the man who taught us to not take human flaws so seriously — a reminder that one person can make ‘a difference in this world’. “
Lisa Henson characterised the stamps as fitting her father’s sense of humour. “We are honored that the US Postal Service chose to recognise our father’s legacy with this fun and irreverent stamp collection — a perfect reflection of his inspired silliness and creativity.”
Her brother Brian welcomed the stamps as a homage to his father’s work. “Our father created wonderful characters that continue to be loved around the world. These stamps are also a tribute to his millions of fans who continue to support his work and believe in his vision”.
At the ceremony a tongue ‘n’ cheek Kermit the Frog viewed the stamps from the Muppets’ perspective. “On behalf of the Muppets, it is a great honour to be featured on our own set of stamps. These commemorative stamps couldn’t have come at a better time — to celebrate my 50th Anniversary, I’m hitting the road next month on a 50-stop World Tour. I’ll need to send a lot of letters home to Miss Piggy if I want to stay in her good graces!”
Atas president Dick Askin testified to Henson’s legacy. “Jim Henson was a master storyteller and technical innovator who created unforgettable characters and entertainment. He left us far too soon, but it’s a testament to his unique talents that we still are captivated by his whimsical creations.”
When applied to a white envelope, each of the individually photographed Muppet stamps appears to burst through. This effect was created by photographing the characters and torn white paper separately to enhance highlights and shadows. The two images were merged and digitally enhanced to produce a fun and lighthearted stamp sheet. The back of each stamp sheet features humorous autographed notes from each of the Muppet characters.
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.
