The city of Mumbai, known for its vibrant cultural heritage, is now embarking on an exciting new chapter in its storytelling journey. Applause Entertainment, a prominent player in the Indian entertainment industry, has announced the launch of its dedicated kid’s animation channel, ‘ApplaToon’, exclusively on YouTube. This move marks a significant milestone in Mumbai’s storytelling landscape, as the city takes a step towards creating engaging and entertaining content for young audiences. The first original animated series to launch on the ApplaToon channel is Kiya & Kayaan, an adaptation of the popular Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library. The series is aimed at children aged 4 to 8 years and follows the adventures of two imaginative siblings who stumble upon VR headsets that transport them to Storyland, a spellbinding world built on iconic stories from Indian mythology and folklore. Key Features of Kiya & Kayaan:
• **Immersive storytelling**: Kiya & Kayaan offers an immersive experience, with each episode blending technology and mythology to create a unique narrative. • **Rich cultural heritage**: The series draws inspiration from Indian mythology and folklore, providing children with an introduction to the country’s rich cultural heritage. • **Values-based storytelling**: The show emphasizes the importance of values such as curiosity, courage, and compassion, teaching children the significance of these traits in everyday life. Applause Entertainment has partnered with Amar Chitra Katha, a renowned publisher of iconic comic books, to adapt over 400 stories from its celebrated universe. This partnership marks a significant step towards bringing heritage to the here-and-now, combining technology, mythology, and heart. The production of Kiya & Kayaan is a collaborative effort, involving Applause Entertainment, Popcorn Animation Studio, Prayan Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd., Living Pixels, and Warnick Studios. The series is directed by Sanjeev Sahoo, who is known for his expertise in creating engaging and immersive content. Sameer Nair, Managing Director of Applause Entertainment, believes that ApplaToon represents a new creative space for the company, one that will allow them to shape young imaginations through powerful Indian storytelling. He emphasizes that the channel will be a platform for the company to bring heritage to the here-and-now, combining technology, mythology, and heart. Preeti Vyas, President & CEO of Amar Chitra Katha, is thrilled to see her company’s stories come alive in a new format. She believes that animation offers magical new possibilities for children to engage with Indian mythology, folk tales, culture, history, and values. The partnership with Applause Entertainment is a step towards making timeless tales both accessible and exciting for today’s digital-first kids.
| Key Partners | Roles |
|---|---|
| Applause Entertainment | Production Partner |
| Popcorn Animation Studio | Production Partner |
| Prayan Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd. | Production Partner |
| Living Pixels | Production Partner |
| Warnick Studios | Production Partner |
The premiere of Kiya & Kayaan on the ApplaToon YouTube channel is scheduled for April 25. As the channel launches, Applause Entertainment and Amar Chitra Katha are excited to bring Indian stories to global audiences, making them accessible and engaging for young viewers around the world. As the city of Mumbai embarks on this exciting new chapter in its storytelling journey, one thing is clear – the future of Indian animation is bright, and ApplaToon is leading the way. “With ApplaToon, we’re venturing into an entirely new creative space — kids animation and it’s both exciting and deeply purposeful.”
— Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment
“For decades, Amar Chitra Katha has introduced generations of readers to the richness of Indian heritage through its iconic comics. We’re thrilled to see our stories come alive in a new format with Kiya & Kayaan.”
— Preeti Vyas, President & CEO, Amar Chitra Katha
Highlights
• ApplaToon is a dedicated kid’s animation channel launched exclusively on YouTube. • Kiya & Kayaan is the first original animated series on the channel, based on the popular Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library. • The series follows the adventures of two imaginative siblings who stumble upon VR headsets that transport them to Storyland. • The show emphasizes the importance of values such as curiosity, courage, and compassion. • The partnership between Applause Entertainment and Amar Chitra Katha marks a significant step towards bringing heritage to the here-and-now.
ApplaToon: A dedicated kid’s animation channel launched exclusively on YouTube, offering an immersive and engaging experience for young audiences.
Kiya & Kayaan: The first original animated series on the ApplaToon channel, based on the popular Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library.
Storyland: A magical world built on iconic stories from Indian mythology and folklore, where the adventures of two imaginative siblings unfold.
VRS Headsets: Virtual Reality Headsets that transport the siblings to Storyland, a spellbinding world of wonder and discovery.