Kids
Natasha Malhotra is Disney’s TV biz head in India
| MUMBAI: Walt Disney Television International (India) has roped in former Arab Television Network COO Natasha Malhotra as VP and GM. |
In her new role, Malhotra will oversee all the Disney channels in India – Disney Channel, Jetix and Hungama TV. |
Based in Mumbai, Malhotra will report to Walt Disney Company India SVP and MD Mahesh Samant. Malhotra will replace Antoine Villeneuve who will return to his native France after a two-year term in India. Samat said, “Malhotra comes to us with extensive content and creative experience. This, combined with her expertise in managing businesses in Asian markets, will help take the channels to the next level in India. She will bring in a unique perspective to the Disney India leadership team.” Malhotra had joined Arab TV Network in 2007. Based in Dubai, she was overseeing the network’s channels that included MTV and Nickelodeon Arabia, and Noor TV – a live radio TV channel. Prior to Arab TV Network, she was in MTV Networks Asia for 11 years. She looked into creative and content (MTV India  Previously, Malhotra spent several years in the advertising film production business. |
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.
