Kids
NGC US searches for kid explorers
MUMBAI: National Geographic Channel (NGC) US has announced that it has commenced the search for America’s top kid explorers. 15 of them will win the field trip of a 10-day expedition to the exotic Galapagos Islands where they’ll walk in the footsteps of Charles Darwin.
It is all part of the broadcaster’s Everyday Explorer Challenge. This is a fun-filled and innovative learning experience sponsored by National Geographic Kids magazine, the National Geographic Channel, and the makers of the consumer product Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer. The aim is to promote hands-on exploration for America’s youth.
15 kids submitting entries that the judges believe best meet the judging criteria, including demonstrating a passion to explore, will be selected for the inaugural National Geographic kids’ expedition team and will take the ultimate field trip on board a Lindblad Expedition ship, accompanied by a National Geographic explorer and other experts. The expedition takes place next May.
The Galapagos, a remote chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean and the site of Charles Darwin’s famed research, has been referred to as the soul of wildness. It is home to giant tortoises, sea lions, fur seals, penguins, iguanas, lava lizards, finches, albatrosses, geckos and more than 1,600 species of insects.
On its adventure, the expedition team will experience abundant wildlife in natural and pristine setting and learn from experts how to observe and not disturb this amazing place. They also will be equipped with their own Nikon Cool Pix digital camera and will receive tips from National Geographic experts on capturing their discoveries in pictures.
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.
