Mumbai: Applause Entertainment, a content studio from the Aditya Birla Group, has announced its foray into kids’ entertainment with the launch of ApplaToon, a dedicated YouTube animation channel tailored for young audiences. The new vertical debuts with its flagship animated series, Kiya & Kayaan, based on Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library, marking a creative collaboration with the legendary comic book publisher. The official trailer dropped today, offering a sneak peek into the whimsical world of the show, which premieres on April 25 on the ApplaToon YouTube channel.
Aimed at children aged 4 to 8, Kiya & Kayaan follows the imaginative escapades of two young siblings who discover magical VR headsets transporting them to Storyland — a captivating realm inspired by stories rooted in Indian mythology and folklore. Their adventures unravel timeless wisdom through action-packed, values-driven storytelling that champions curiosity, bravery, and empathy.
The launch of ApplaToon comes alongside Applause Entertainment’s landmark partnership with Amar Chitra Katha, through which it has acquired rights to adapt over 400 stories from the ACK universe. Kiya & Kayaan marks the first of many animated series planned under this banner. Directed by Sanjeev Sahoo, the show is produced in collaboration with Popcorn Animation Studio, Prayan Animation Studio Pvt. Ltd., Living Pixels, and Warnick Studios.
Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment, said, “With ApplaToon, we’re venturing into an entirely new creative space — kids animation and it’s both exciting and deeply purposeful. This is not just a new vertical for us; it’s a chance to shape young imaginations through powerful Indian storytelling. With Kiya & Kayaan, based on the timeless Amar Chitra Katha Junior Library, we’re bringing heritage to the here-and-now, combining technology, mythology, and heart. YouTube gives us the perfect playground to do this at scale, taking Indian stories to global audiences.”
Preeti Vyas, President & CEO, Amar Chitra Katha, added, “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. Animation opens up magical new possibilities for children to engage with Indian mythology, folk tales, culture, history, and values. Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment is a step towards making timeless tales both accessible and exciting for today’s digital-first kids.”
