Cartoon Network Japan buys TV rights for Chhota Bheem

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent | Hyderabad
Cartoon Network Japan has bought out the rights to telecast a 13-series episode of Chhota Bheem (Little Bheem) from Hyderabad-based Green Gold Animation. The series will be aired in Japan in August next year.

"Currently, Chhota Bheem is on air in India on Pogo channel and it is the country's first animated TV series to be co-produced with Turner International. The season one of the series has 13 episodes and we are also doing 13 new episodes, which will be part of season 2. Our deal with Cartoon Network Japan is for season 3, comprising another 13 episodes," said Rajiv Chilaka, founder and managing director, Green Gold.

Chhota Bheem, the 2D cartoon series, is based on the legendary Bheem from the epic of Mahabharat. The story revolves around Bheem, a nine-year-old boy living in an imaginary town of Dholakpur, set about 2,000 years ego in rural India. It also features Bheem's friends and their rivalry with Kalia and his friends.

"We are in talks with retail distributors for marketing comics. Besides, we will also enter merchandising based on our animation series next year. This will include T-shirts, ceramic mugs, school bags and other items," Chilaka added.

"We are also developing a Krishna series with 13 episodes for Cartoon Network in India. It will go on air during Janmashtami (August) next year," said Chilaka.

The $ 1.5 million company is also setting up a new facility in Hyderabad, which will be operational next year. It is also planning come out with comics based on its animation series Chhota Bheem next month.