Kids
DQE to reincarnate ‘The Jungle Book’ with German broadcaster ZDF
MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based animation, gaming and entertainment company DQ Entertainment (DQE) has partnered with German broadcaster ZDF and its distribution and licensing arm ZDF Enterprises to reincarnate Rudyard Kipling‘s ‘The Jungle Book‘ for the first time in high definition television series and television feature format.
The budget of the project is pegged at approximately €9 million (Rs 606.53 million) and will be funded through pre-sales and co-production deals across the globe.
‘The Jungle Book‘ deal will be led by DQE wherein the company will hold the majority global rights including television, distribution, home video, VoD, publishing and licensing and merchandising.
As co-producers, ZDF/ ZDF-E will have the right to appoint executive producers for the project with full editorial and distribution rights for Europe (excluding French, English and Irish territories), Middle East
and Latin America.
“This is a major milestone for the growth of DQE‘s home grown IP initiatives, and represents a bold step forward in terms of international production, licensing and distribution for our company,” said DQE Group chairman and CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.
To exploit the product in France and other French territories, DQE has collaborated with French broadcaster TF-1 Broadcasting and its distribution and licensing arm TF-1 Enterprises.
London-based NBC Universal, meanwhile, has been given the responsibility for distribution of the project‘s home video in territories such as UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Japan while it is in advance negotiations for other territories also.
“Joining hands with ZDF Group of companies from Germany, TF-1 Group of companies from France and NBC Universal, London has added tremendous strength to the production of this brand Jungle Book,” Chakravarti quipped.
“This has almost guaranteed very strong distribution for all platform of television, video, VOD and merchandising in entire Europe, Middle East and Latin America while, Asian nations and North America are joining hands shortly,” added Chakravarti.
According to DQE, the company is currently in talks with other European and international distributors for co-production and acquisition deals for the forthcoming series.
The book will be visually translated into a 52 episode animated series wherein the first season of the 52×11 minute series will be delivered by 2010. This will be followed by a 60-minute TV feature.
Said ZDF international co-productions and acquisitions for children‘s and youth programming – head Nicole Keeb, “‘Jungle Book‘ is a classical property and with its modern 3D adaptation perfectly fits into ZDF‘s programming. We particularly like the idea that Mowgli and his friends will come to life in their homeland:INDIA.”
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.
