Kids
Toonz Media signs co-production deal for ‘Chi-Chi’
MUMBAI: Toonz Media Group, Neon Creation and Backbones Entertainment have signed a co-production partnership deal for Chi-Chi, The Apprentice Sorceress. It is an eleven-minute, 52-episode 3D CGI comic fantasy kids’ series, based on the pop-up book by the same name. Production is expected to be completed by mid-2019.
Chi-Chi, The Apprentice Sorceress, which is aimed at 4 to 6-year old kids, is the story of a cheerful young girl, full of curiosity who, ever since she found a book of magic spells, constantly tests out new spells and potions. Accompanied by her friends Nino the dragonfly, Mew-Mew the artistic rabbit, Tiggy the squirrel who loves to cook, and postman Charlie the rhinoceros, they embark on wonderful fantasy-filled adventures. It is an enchanting, fun series full of magic and surprise that focuses on the importance of learning to live and grow together and teaching kids to have a true community spirit.
Toonz Media Group CEO P Jayakumar said, “Chi-Chi is an amazing show which will entertain and enrich kids across the world. I am very happy that Toonz found the perfect partners in Neon Creation and Backbone Entertainment. We are absolutely positive that this collaboration would go a long way”.
Post-production is to be entirely done by Toonz while pre-production is shared by Neon and Toonz and animation production between all three. The series will be distributed in Korea, Greater China and Thailand by Neon Creation, in Malaysia by Backbone Entertainment, and for the rest of the world by Imira Entertainment, part of Toonz Media Group.
Neon Creation president Sara Kyungwon Han-Williams adds “When I introduced Chi-Chi to the world for the first time it was received with accolades for its beautiful and outstanding design of characters and backgrounds. Since then I’ve ded
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.
