Kids
Ramana to head affiliate relations at Walt Disney India & South Asia
MUMBAI: Walt Disney Television International (India) has elevated Venkat Ramana as head of affiliate relations for India and South Asia.The announcement was made by Walt Disney Television India SVP and MD Antoine Villeneuve.
Ramana will report to Villeneuve and work closely with Disney ABC International Television (Asia Pacific) SVP and MD Rob Gilby at the regional level in Hong Kong.
In his new role Ramana, would oversee affiliate relations across India including analog cable, and extending to devising and implementing a strategy for digital networks. He will be instrumental in managing the distribution relationship, trade marketing on the affiliate side as well as looking after the interest of Disney channels in the South-Asia markets including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.
He will drive the future distribution strategy for the channels, languaging strategy and exploring expansion opportunities in newer markets.
Commenting on the appointment, Villeneuve said “Venkat Ramana has been a key member of our business since the launch phase and brings with him a strong understanding of the Disney brand. We are confident that in his new leadership role, Venkat will propel our business efforts in this emerging marketplace.”
Venkat joined Disney in December 2004 in Bangalore. After successfully launching and establishing Disney channels in the competitive southern region, he moved to Disney‘s Mumbai office in early 2007 to spearhead the affiliate initiatives at a national level. Prior to his association with Disney, Ramana held key responsibilities for the southern markets networks development for MTV and before that at Zee TV.
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.
