Kids
UTV expands Toons division
MUMBAI: UTV is ramping up its animation division – UTV Toons. In its endeavour to continually grow this business and provide the Indian market with quality animation, UTV has deployed multiple licenses of Autodesk 3ds Max 8 software, which is the latest offering from Autodesk.
Designed to meet the present and future demands of increasingly complex 3D production environments, 3ds Max 8 software will allow UTV to increase the overall productivity of its animation division by 20 – 30 per cent.
Over the next three months, UTV plans to expand its Toons division to house 200 animation technicians at its facility in Mumbai. Additionally, the company expects to migrate at least 80 per cent of all future projects to 3ds Max 8.
Coming in close on the heels of their $10 million outsourcing partnership with US-based BKN New Media Inc., this deployment takes on added significance for UTV as it highlights the company’s commitment to the global market and growing its international profile as well.
In addition to this UTV Toons is also currently executing projects such as Tripping the Rift, a popular animated sitcom in the US, Magic Cellar for the South African Broadcasting Corp., and Freej the first animation project funded by Dubai’s media city.
UTV Toons animation and new media vice president Jyotirmoy Saha said, “Although we have been using 3ds Max for a while now, we felt that it was absolutely necessary for us to expand our facilities in order to service our current and future projects. We chose 3ds Max 8 in addition to offering a 30-40 per cent improvement in rendering time, as it also comes equipped with enhanced features such as advanced character development, modeling, texturing and scripting tools. This coupled with the high level consulting and domain expertise that Autodesk Media and Entertainment offers, is a compelling reason to partner with them.”
“We’re delighted that UTV Toons has selected 3ds Max 8 software. UTV has always been a quality conscious customer, keen to deliver the best to the Indian and global markets. Having begun our association with them in 2002, we have witnessed their business grow over the years and rise to an impressive leadership position. We foresee a long standing relationship with UTV and look forward to partnering with them in their long term growth plans,” Autodesk Media and Entertainment regional sales manager – animation and desktop video, South East Asia and India said Raman Madan.
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.
