Kids
Nickelodeon celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants’ 20th birthday
MUMBAI: Nickelodeon – India’s leading kids entertainment franchise boasts of some of the beloved classic shows in its line-up and one such iconic character is celebrating his 20th birthday. Yes, you heard that right! This year marks the 20th birthday of Nickelodeon’s most renowned and beloved SpongeBob SquarePants, the super cool sponge who has inspired pop culture and been a part of every kids’ life since the 90’s. The channel has planned a year-long celebration to celebrate this Bikini Bottom resident through the goofiest gags, memes, fun activities, birthday specials on television and a lot more all year round.
Nickelodeon in India kicked off the birthday bash festivities by premiering brand new episodes of the show. The channel Nick HD+ also paid tribute to some of the marquee moments of the show on social media platforms with relatable memes and the campaign hashtag being #BeLikeSpongeBob. Nickelodeon is teaming with online micro-fiction platforms like Terribly Tiny Tales and inviting people to share stories on how SpongeBob has been part of their lives, taking fans down memory lane.
In another birthday special the SpongeBob 3D movie is set to be re-released in August across PVR Playhouse screens pan India (including Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai). The movie screening will provide SpongeBob fans i.e. kids as well as adults with one more reason to celebrate the comic capers and fun escapades of the adorable Sponge.
Globally the brand Nickelodeon apart from the various collaboration and numerous activities all year round partnered with The Pantone Colour Institute to create official SpongeBob Yellow and Patrick Star Pink colours in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary. Not only this but Kyrie Irving and Nike have joined forces with SpongeBob for a colourful range of shoes, which is available for purchase globally. Besides this, from fashion (Moschino X SpongeBob) to automobiles (Toyota) Nickelodeon has gone all out to celebrate this legendary character’s birthday and we’re just getting started cause this is going to be the #BestYearEver !
Viacom 18 Head- Hindi and Kids TV Network Nina Elavia Jaipuria commented on the celebrations, “Nickelodeon has always introduced characters that kids have loved and adored. Classic characters like SpongeBob SquarePants are a phenomenon and have entertained kids across generations with his nautical mischief. Driven by nostalgia, the internet’s favourite Sponge has been inspiring many pop culture trends globally, as well as in India. This ever optimistic character sets an example for all fans to #BeLikeSpongeBob. The birthday of this pop culture icon will be celebrated all year long with various interesting birthday specials.”
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.
