Kids
Nickelodeon helps kids cool down this summer
MUMBAI: Even as the scorching heat makes it difficult for children to enjoy their vacation outdoors, Nickelodeon is making up for the loss by belting out a slew of programmes on Nick, Sonic and Nick Jr that are bound to keep kids from getting bored this summer.
Be it new shows, new seasons of popular shows, brand new movies, or interactive programmes, the franchise truly has something for everyone from tiny tots to teenagers.
Nick
Nick from Nickelodeon will air the new season of its home-grown comedy, Pakdam Pakdai, which is on the lines of Tom & Jerry, Roadrunner and Sylvester & Tweety. All new episodes of Motlu-Patlu, the two Laurel and Hardy-esque friends from Furfuri Nagariya, are on the cards. The channel is also set to air its third home production, ‘Motu Patlu Deep Sea Adventure’, a made-for-TV movie slated for 18 May at 10am. Additionally, a French/American animated series called Rabbids is in the pipeline, based on the Raving Rabbids game series produced by Ubisoft.
Elections may be the flavour of the season but who says adults alone can have all the fun. Lending a quirky feel to the polls, Nick will have two popular shows competing with each other for the first time. And kids will get a chance to vote for their favourite – Motlu Patlu or Pakdam Pakdai in Nickelodeon Comedy Elections. Those who vote for the show which gets the maximum number of votes stand to win mobile phones and PSPs. To cast their vote in favour of either show, kids can SMS to 56882 or dial 5056882 from their mobile phones.
The month-long initiative will be supported by a 360 degree marketing campaign comprising cross-channel promotions, on-ground mall activities in Delhi and Mumbai, and a digital campaign. The channel has partnered leading retail outlets like Hamleys for the same. On the digital platform, kids can log onto facebook and vote for their favourite. Then, there’s an innovation called Nickelodeon Cricket Academy replete with cricket matches played by Motu Patlu, Toon Trivia and Fun Facts.
Speaking about Nick’s summer campaign, Viacom18 EVP and business head – kids cluster Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “Summer is all about fun and excitement. We have left no stone unturned in engaging the kids at a time, place and screen convenient to them. The loved famous duo, Motu and Patlu, will engage kids with new episodes and a television special on-air, play cricket online, meet and greet fans on-ground and even form a party of their own.”
Sonic
Not to be left behind, Sonic, the other channel from Nickelodeon, will offer kids a fun ride with new shows like Power Rangers Mega Force, Koni Chan and Naruto Rock Lee SD. The channel will air a TV special titled The Turboosters, which recently won two FICCI BAF Awards, for fans of adventure and science fiction.
Additionally, a fast-paced interactive campaign called Sonic Action Mania will keep kids on the edge of their seats, starting 19 May. They will be invited to watch their favourite shows like Power Rangers Mega Force, Idaten Jump and Supa Strikas between 1pm and 3pm every day and win exciting prizes.
An all-round marketing campaign will give wings to the initiative in terms of cross-channel promotions, van activations across multiple cities, strategic on-ground alliances and a comprehensive online campaign. On the cards is a gaming championship in association with Funcity. Besides, the ‘Kung Fu Panda – Watch-n-Win’ contest will continue to engage online audiences. All that fans need to do is log onto www.sonicgang.com, watch the Kung Fu Panda videos, and answer simple questions to win an array of goodies.
“For the action-loving generation, Sonic packs the summer with the best of action, sports and adventure. Be it a football game, biking adventure or sheer good over evil action, Sonic is the ultimate destination where kids will experience real action this summer,” said Jaipuria of Sonic’s summer plans.
Nick Jr.
Yet another channel from Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. will continue to help tots learn and develop new skills in a way that is both entertaining and warm and caring. A leader in the pre-school space, Nick Jr. will engage both toddlers and parents with all new episodes of Dora the Explorer and news shows including ‘Peter Rabbit’, ‘Max & Ruby’ and ‘Tickety Toc’. There’s also Max and Ruby, a Canadian-American animated series, created by children’s book author/illustrator Rosemary Wells and based on her Max and Ruby books. For the uninitiated, Max is a rambunctious and determined preschool-aged rabbit while Ruby is his older more patient, goal-oriented, sometimes restrictive sister.
On the occasion of Mother’s Day, www.nickjrindia.com will engage kids and moms in a special manner. The ‘Nick Jr. Summer Selfie contest’ will invite young moms to post their selfies with babies and the ‘Best Summer look for Mommies’ will be adjudged and awarded Nick Jr. goodies.
Kids can also look forward to an exciting range of Dora’s all new ‘Back to School’ products this summer that include tiffin boxes, bags, bottles and more. Also a part of Nick’s consumer retail marketing is the Domino’s Junior Joy Box.
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.
