Kids
Disney Channel’s Hanna Montana heads for a new season on 10 April
MUMBAI: Come 10 April and Disney Channel will roll out the third season of its most popular franchise Hannah Montana.
Since its launch on Disney Channel, Hannah Montana has served as the brand building property for the channel globally, cutting through all age groups. Says Walt Disney Television International India senior VP and managing director Antoine Villeneuve said, “Hannah Montana is the number one Disney character amongst tweens for awareness, likeability and merchandise business worldwide. As a priority franchise, Hannah Montana exemplifies the channel‘s theme of aspiration, self belief and self expression.” |
In season 3, Hannah Montana turns 16 and is more aware of her responsibilities and is yet attuned to having fun. While growing older, she will also be shown dealing with a new set of challenges in balancing both her lives as Miley and Hannah. As part of its marketing initiative, Hannah Montana franchise will present a pop star experience for fans through engaging touch points. Disney Consumer Products will have offerings including home furnishings, personal care, toys and role play sets to promote the franchise. Meanwhile, Disney Publishing Worldwide has already launched several Hannah Montana titles including – Journals: Hannah‘s Book of Secrets, The Best of Hannah Montana along with activity books such as the Hannah Montana poster and sticker books. Disney will also utilize its interactive platform for enhanced engagements of the property with the viewers. Disney Interactive Media Group will provide a Hannah Montana digital experience through downloads, wallpapers, games, themes, ring tones and caller back tunes. For the I-phone customers, Hannah Montana‘s ‘cover styler‘ application can be downloaded for free from the applications store. Viewers will also have access to an all new mini sites sporting Hannah‘s new look, new games and downloadables along with a ‘cover styler‘ application on the Disney Channel site in May. |
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.
