Disney India picks up trio of Cosmos-Maya shows

The channel will premiere Guddu, Bapu and Gadget Guru Ganesh this summer, while original film Artemis Fowl gets an exclusive Disney+ launch.
April 17, 2020

Disney India has picked up three series from Indian animation studio Cosmos-Maya to premiere this summer. The studio’s trio of 52 x half-hour shows, Guddu (pictured), Bapu and Gadget Guru Ganesha, are launching on the network as the House of Mouse works to grow its presence in India.

Guddu, a spinoff of Cosmos-Maya’s Motu Patlu series that was made for Nickelodeon, is a 3D-animated series that centers on the exploits of a circus lion. Leaning on the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, the 2D-animated Bapu follows a wise elder who lives in the modern world and who helps kids face their problems. Meanwhile, Gadget Guru Ganesha is a 2D-animated a slice-of-life comedy revolving around the average Indian family.

The Indian producer has been ramping up its presence across linear channels in India, and in March WarnerMedia’s kids channels POGO and Cartoon Network greenlit two of Cosmos-Maya’s 52 x half-hour shows: Titoo and Lambuji Tinguji. It’s also been busy building up its business across divisions by launching a feature film division, and opening a new sales arm.

India’s government initiated a nationwide lockdown—which it recently extended until May 3—driving the studio to shift to working remotely. Despite its large population, India has not been hit as hard by the pandemic as many other countries, with 13,835 confirmed cases and 452 death, according to John Hopkins University.

Meanwhile, the House of Mouse is also looking to draw eyeballs to Disney+, one of the few business categories that’s able to bring in revenue despite the pandemic. As such, Disney launched the new live-action film Artemis Fowl exclusively on Disney+ starting June 12, sidestepping its originally planned theatrical release.

Artemis Fowl‘s theatrical launch was originally set for May, but earlier this month that was cancelled, since theaters are closed indefinitely due to COVID-19. Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Murder on the Orient ExpressCinderella) and based on the eponymous book series by Eoin Colfer, the film follows the adventure of a 12-year-old genius who battles fairies to save his kidnapped father.

 

About The Author
Senior reporter for Kidscreen. Ryan covers tech, talent and general kids entertainment news, with a passion for kids rap content and video games. Have a story that's of interest to Kidscreen readers? Contact Ryan at rtuchow@brunico.com

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