DQ Entertainment to reincarnate the legendary Jungle Book

Media News

Mumbai, March 31, 2009

DQ Entertainment Group, the internationally acclaimed and AIM, London listed Animation & Gaming company, is delighted to announce 100% home grown global production 52 episodes animated series and a 60’ TV Feature, – ‘The Jungle Book’. The Jungle Book will once again come to life, for the first time in High Definition Television series and Television Feature format. This project of approximately 12 million USD will be funded through pre-sales and co-production deals across the globe.

This global co-production is lead by DQ Entertainment with majority global distribution rights including Television and all platforms such as Home Video, Video-On-Demand (VOD), Publishing, Merchandising and all form of Licensing with a multi million dollar global production budget being co-produced with Germany’s largest Broadcaster ZDF and the global distribution & licensing arm ZDF Enterprises. ZDF/ ZDF-E will be full Co-producers on the project, with right to appoint Executive Producers with full editorial rights and distribution rights for Europe (excluding French, English and Irish territories), Middle East and Latin America. DQE will subsequently also create a TV Special of 60 minutes based on the TV Series along with the first season of 52x11 minutes to be delivered by 2010.

TF-1 Broadcasting and TF-1 Enterprises, the distribution & licensing arm of TF-1, France, one of the largest TV distribution, broadcasting and licensing group have also joined hand in this multi-million dollar deal as French partner.

NBC Universal, London has taken responsibility for distribution of Home video in very important home video territories such as UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and Japan while it is in advance negotiations for other territories also. Other large European and worldwide networks and international distributors have expressed keen interest to partner on this production as DQE ties up more co-productions and acquisition deals for the forthcoming series.

Based on the vast history & tradition of Rudyard Kipling's classic novel The Jungle Book TV series will explore the various escapades of Mowgli and his jungle friends in this dramatic, funny and fast paced series where we will see Mowgli develop and learn to survive in the dangerous jungle.

“The team at DQE is full of anticipation as we embark on this thrilling journey through the Indian jungles with Mowgli and his friends! This is a major milestone for the growth of DQE’s home grown IP initiatives, and represents a bold step forward in terms of international production, licensing and distribution for our company”, said Tapaas Chakravarti Chairman & CEO of DQE Group.

Joining hands with ZDF Group of companies from Germany, TF-1 Group of companies from France and NBC Universal, London has added tremendous strength to the production of this iconic brand ‘JUNGLE BOOK’, and have almost guaranteed very strong distribution across all platforms of Television, Video, VOD and Merchandising in entire Europe, Middle East and Latin America while, Asian nations and North America are joining hands shortly.

"It is very exciting to be involved with DQ Entertainment, ZDF and TF1 on this wonderful production of The Jungle Book. We are confident that, based on the classic book by Rudyard Kipling, we will produce excellent stories to stimulate and entertain children throughout the world", said Theresa Plummer Andrews, Associate Producer of the show.

Said Nicole Keeb, the head of international co-productions and acquisitions for children’s and youth programming at ZDF: "We as a lead broadcaster are extremely pleased to be part of the team working on this beautiful project. Jungle Book is a classical property and with its modern 3D adaptation perfectly and fits into ZDF’s programming. We particularly like the idea that Mowgli and his friends will come to life in their homeland- India."

Arne Lohmann, ZDF Enterprises' Director Co-production Children and Youth, said, "We are proud to partner up with DQ Entertainment on this fantastic project. With its outstanding production technique and with its universal appeal we believe it will be a huge success."

Director of children's television for TF1, Dominique Poussier, said, "TF1 is very proud to be part of this big creative challenge and we're convinced that the new "Jungle book" will be a hit."

Hubert Taieb, Deputy General Manager from TF1 Enterprises and Daphné de Beauffort, Sales and Kids Properties Acquisition Manager of TF1 Licences said:" We are pleased to announce our new collaboration with DQ Entertainment, for the development of Jungle Book merchandising products in French Speaking European Countries & Benelux. We believe this collaboration will be a long lasting and profitable relation, and we are happy to develop such a strong brand, with a great new graphic design. The revival of this notorious story in a new animated 3D series, entirely based in India and developed by a company who is well known for its very good quality productions, will be one of the major brand in the coming years, surfing on the attraction of western countries for far east culture.

TF1 Licenses, one of the leading merchandising company in France, will be dedicated to develop great products and promotions for kids and their nostalgic parents."

"We are delighted to distribute such an exciting and highly anticipated title as Jungle Book in some of our key markets. Universal has a keen and continuing interest in acquiring high quality children's content and this latest acquisition reflects that high standard of quality" said Aurelie De Troyer, International Acquisitions Director, NBC Universal.

The stories unfold interesting tales of Mowgli – The Man Cub, raised by a pack of wolves in the lovely tropical jungle of Seeonee. Mowgli’s world includes his formidable jungle friends; Baloo, a wise old bear who is his mentor, his best friend Bagheera, a young Panther – Canter and (sometimes!) Kaa the Python. The stories will also introduce several wild and exotic species of animals to the backdrop of the beautiful Jungles, the ruins of beautiful Indian royal forts, temples, waterfalls and the Waingunga River. The series will also portray Mowgli’s journey to the village where he originally came from and will have stories of his encounters with the human species. World class British animation script writers and Multi talented voice artistes will bring to life these well known and loved characters.

For further information, please contact:

Good Relations (India)

Ashvini Khandekar

Tel: 91 22 40739100

Email: ashvini@gri.co.in