Netflix announces first original animated series from India

American internet entertainment company Netflix has announced Mighty Little Bheem, its first kids original series from India. The aim is to expand its children's programming section. Mighty Little Bheem is produced in partnership with Green Gold Animation, one of India's leading animation studios, read a statement. Based on Chhota Bheem, the series will be the first one of the franchise targeted at preschool children.

Debuting worldwide in 2018, the animated adventure comedy series is about a strong, brave and intelligent hero named Mighty Little Bheem traveling through his hometown on crazy adventures, often in search of ladoo. "We are thrilled to work with Netflix and take Mighty Little Bheem, a story based on India's most popular children's character, to an audience across India and 190 countries worldwide," says Rajiv Chilaka, CEO and founder of Green Gold Animation. "This is an incredible opportunity to bring the best-in-class storytelling to young audiences everywhere," he adds.

Andy Yeatman, Director of Global Kids Content for Netflix, says the streaming platform will "continue to invest in Indian productions and creative storytelling that our members will love and cherish."

"We're excited to partner with Green Gold Animation and announce an original show that will bring great storytelling, based on one of India's beloved characters, not just to India but to kids and families around the globe," Yeatman adds.

The on-demand streaming website Netflix has already announced two new original series from India. The first one, titled Selection Day, based on the book by author Aravind Adiga, will deal with cricket and corruption. The second one is Again, a supernatural, female-led detective series set in New Delhi, written by Marisha Mukerjee, who also wrote Quantico.

Sacred Games, Netflix's first series for India, will soon go live. It is based on Indian author Vikram Chandra's novel of the same name, and will feature actor-producer Saif Ali Khan.