Kids
Nick expands cruise partnership with Royal Caribbean International
MUMBAI: Nickelodeon and global cruise brand Royal Caribbean Intrnational announced plans to once again set sail together on two new, exotic cruise adventures in summer 2009. Based on the success of the first-ever sold out Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean, the two companies are teaming up to offer families new cruises from each US coast — one on Mariner of the Seas to the Western Mexican Rivera, and another on the Freedom of the Seas to the Eastern Caribbean. The announcement was made just after the completion of the first-ever Nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean ( 10-17 August). Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami says, “The first Nickelodeon cruise was a homerun. Populated by Nickelodeon families eager to spend time together, the combination of Royal Caribbean’s expertise and the Nick brand experience set the stage for next year. Our plan is to add a second cruise in 2009 and build on the great event we created this year with our partners at Royal Caribbean.” Royal Caribbean International president and CEO Adam Goldstein says, “Coming off the success of the first Nickelodeon cruise this past week, we’re thrilled to build upon our relationship with the announcement of two additional themed cruises. “Royal Caribbean International constantly works to give our guest unparalleled vacation experiences which provide every family member with a very special and memorable cruise. Our partnership with Nickelodeon helps build upon this foundation” The 2009 Nickelodeon Family Cruises will depart from the East and West coasts: the first cruise will sail from Los Angeles on 26 July, 2009, on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, the largest ship to be homeported on the West Coast, and will travel to the exotic Mexican Rivera. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary will leave In August. Traveling to exotic destinations, the Nickelodeon Family Cruise is designed for every member of the family–kids, parents and grandparents. It brings together the entertainment expertise of Nickelodeon with the cruise specialists, Royal Caribbean. On-board, Nickelodeon will provide families with such experiences as interactive game shows; meet-and-greets and performances by their favorite Nickelodeon stars; screenings and premieres of new, original Nick TV shows and movies; visits with favorite Nick characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Diego and Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender; and plenty of Nickelodeon’s signature slime. On the two new cruises, families will enjoy all of the luxurious accommodations that Royal Caribbean cruise liners offer. Mariner of the Seas offers guests revolutionary amenities, such as an on-board ice-skating rink, full-size basketball court, inline skating track, the cruise line’ iconic rock-climbing wall and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship. Freedom of the Seas, the largest ship in the world, also offers a multitude of activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice skating rink, a nine-hole mini-golf course, 10-route rock-climbing wall, as well as the line’s other signature amenities. |
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.
