Kids
Disney extends local content; launches new show on 27 April
MUMBAI: Disney channel India seems to be creating a strong impetus to extend its local content in a bid to build its viewership base.
Starting 27 April, the channel will launch its new local show, Kya Mast Hai Life, targeting the tween segment comprising the 8-12-year-olds.
Says Walt Disney Television International (India) senior vice president and managing director Antoine Villeneuve, “India is a very important market that is key on local content. Therefore, Kya Mast Hai Life adds a very significant dimension to Disney‘s programming slot.”
Kya Mast Hai Life will run from Monday to Friday at 7 pm. The show is based on the story of five friends and marks the debut of Shaheer Sheikh, Nazneen, Sana Sheikh, Shweta Tripathi and Ashish Junija.
“The tweens (8-12-year-olds) are a growing segment of the Indian audience sector and that‘s what our focus zone is. But since we also aim to captivate the complete family audience segment too along with the target group, we have placed the show at the 7 pm slot,” states Walt Disney Television International (India) associate director and head-proramming Devika Prabhu.
Disney Channel has commissioned the new property to Sol (of Coffee with Karan fame), which marks its debut in the production of fiction programming with Kya Mast Hai Life.
Says Sol managing director Fazila Allana, “Sol has always had an upper hand in non-fiction programming and television events. And now with Kya Mast Hai Life, we look forward towards establishing similar success in the fiction genre too.”
“Currently, we are concentrating on the first 13-week episodes of the show. As the story progresses we will move forward with our production process,” Allana adds.
The channel has adopted a 360 degree blanket approach for marketing and promoting its new property amongst its target groups.
As part of the intiative, the show will be cross-promoted across network channels. Promotions will take place in malls, multiplexes and coffee stores through outdoor media. There will also be in-cinema spots for the series along with roadside hoadings across the country.
Disney channel will also promote Kya Mast Hai Life online through a dedicated site. Mobile will be used as a means for series downloads.
Disney Channel has been playing on local content for quite sometime now. It has already produced three long-format shows – Vickey Aur Vetaal, Dhoom Machao Dhoom and Agadam, Bagadam, Tigadam, which have reached their season-ends.
Disney Channel India is also running locally-acquired content such as Shararat and Son Pari and now, it is also experimenting with Bollywood content to draw in more eyeballs. The channel has bought two Aamir Khan movies, Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, that will be showcased as part of its summer lineup this season.
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.
