Kids
Toon in drop out mall crawl brings summer mayhem for kids
MUMBAI: What do you get when Chhota Bheem, Tom & Jerry, Ben 10, and Mr. Bean walk into a mall? No, it’s not a joke setup, it’s Warner Bros. Discovery’s summer tour turning shopping centres into cartoon chaos with the mother of all toon takeovers.
With Pogo, Cartoon Network, and Discovery Kids uniting for a high-energy, 10-city mall activation, Indian kids are in for a summer that’s equal parts action, laughter, dance-offs, selfies, and superhero hugs. The blockbuster bonanza kicked off this May and continues through June, transforming malls in metros like Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru and even non-metro hubs like Aurangabad, Kottayam and Ahmednagar into playgrounds of pure animated madness.
Themed zones will see POGO’s India Ke Superheroes (featuring Little Singham, Chhota Bheem and Chhutki) rubbing shoulders with Cartoon Network’s Jhatpat Action Khatpat Comedy icons (Ben 10, Teen Titans Go, Tom & Jerry, and Powerpuff Girls) while Discovery Kids’ Katti Batti Dosti Pakki springs to life with Titoo and Mr. Bean’s wacky camaraderie.
But it’s not just for the ‘Gram although there are selfie spots aplenty. Think interactive games, creative art corners, dance battles, and themed installations that pull kids right into the worlds they usually only binge-watch. The energy isn’t just reserved for the malls either. Online extensions include digital challenges, UGC contests, and highlights from the on-ground madness keeping the FOMO real.
Warner Bros. Discovery marketing head of South Asia Janhavi Vyas said, “At Warner Bros. Discovery, we’re passionate about crafting joyful, immersive experiences that unite families and ignite young imaginations. Through these summer activations, we’re transforming malls into vibrant hubs of creativity and entertainment, bringing fans close to their beloved characters,while delivering blockbuster fun that complements our exciting summer slate and creating lasting memories for our audiences.”
And just in case parents were wondering how to get their kids off screens post-visit, WBD’s summer programming plans ensure they don’t have to. The slate boasts nearly 200 half-hours of fresh content across the three channels, including 22 new Chhota Bheem episodes, the premiere of Chhota Bheem in Samay Chakra, superhero specials like Leo! Rise of Super Singham, and Singhamverse Kaalverse 2.
Chhota Bheem also turns 17 this May, and WBD isn’t letting that go unnoticed cue crossover events, Maha Blockbuster films, and weekly stunts. Add in strong brand partnerships and multiple language options, and you’ve got a summer lineup designed to keep India’s kids happily glued whether on-ground or online.
In short, if your child disappears this May and June, don’t panic. Just follow the sound of cartoon catchphrases, dance floor beats and raucous laughter. Chances are, they’re at the mall, tooning out in the best way possible.
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.
