ZEE5 Expands its KidZ Universe with the Mythological Animated Series ‘Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka’
An original animated series that innovatively introduces the world of Indian mythology to children and families in six languages
National | July 15, 2026: KidZ on ZEE5—a popular platform offering a safe, joyful, and guilt-free screen-time experience for children—has launched a new mythological animated series, Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka (SKM), further strengthening its content library for kids.
Based on the best-selling children’s book The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids by renowned author Anand Neelakantan, this series brings the beloved world of mythology to life on screen through animation.
Premiering on July 17, the story centers on the mischievous Asura twins, Kundakka and Mandakka. Their playful antics lead them on extraordinary adventures filled with courage, friendship, and self-discovery.
Set in a mythological realm that extends beyond familiar epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the series introduces children and families to new characters, unexplored worlds, and magical adventures inspired by India’s rich mythological heritage.
Blending humor, action, and vibrant animation, the series reimagines mythology from a fresh perspective for today’s young generation, while emphasizing the message that it is the choices one makes—rather than perfection—that define a hero. Created as the inaugural offering of an expansive mythological universe, Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka lays the foundation for a world that will continue to grow through new characters, adventures, and stories. It allows young audiences to experience Indian mythology from a playful, unexpected, and refreshing perspective.
Centering the story on two mischievous Asura characters, the series challenges the common notion that playful children lack values or discipline. Through the adventures of Kundakka and Mandakka, viewers discover that curiosity and mischief can coexist with noble traits like kindness, courage, and compassion.
Through ‘KidZ’, ZEE5 is building a trusted platform for children and families that offers safe, age-appropriate entertainment rooted in Indian culture and contemporary storytelling.
Designed as a family viewing experience for children and parents to enjoy together, the series celebrates timeless life values alongside entertainment.
Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka is being released in six languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and English. Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KSXQAy2GgY
Speaking about this launch, Chandan Khandelwal, Business Head of KidZ (ZEE5), said:
“At ZEE5, we believe that stories loved across generations are the ones that truly endure. That is why we collaborate with renowned storytellers like Anand Neelakantan to bring these worlds to life for today’s young audiences.
With Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka, we wanted to introduce families to a new world—one filled with unforgettable characters, humor, adventure, and timeless values—that goes beyond the mythological tales everyone already knows.
By combining the richness of Indian mythology and engaging narratives with high-quality animation, we have created a meaningful family viewing experience that delights both children and parents alike.
As KidZ continues to grow, our primary objective is to build original Indian story brands in collaboration with creators who present India’s storytelling heritage in fresh formats that children and families can easily relate to.”
Speaking about this adaptation, author Anand Neelakantan said:
“It brings me great joy to see KidZ bring my book, The Very, Extremely, Most Naughty Asura Tales for Kids, to life as the animated series Shivlok Ke Kundakka Mandakka and share it with a new generation of children.
It is exciting to see major platforms investing in stories rooted in India’s rich mythological heritage and reimagining them in such an engaging way for children.
I hope young viewers enjoy the on-screen adventures of Kundakka and Mandakka just as much as I enjoyed creating them. It gives me immense happiness to see these mischievous characters and their world come alive through animation.” About ZEE5
ZEE5 is India’s largest homegrown video streaming platform and a destination for South Asian content…
…serving as a global entertainment platform that reaches audiences in over 190 countries.
ZEE5, the digital entertainment platform of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., adopts a ‘language-first’ approach to offer content tailored to local preferences, language-specific subscription plans, and personalized experiences across seven languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, and Marathi.
ZEE5 stands as a leading platform offering a vast content library—including Originals, Indian and international movies, TV shows, live sports, kids’ programming, news, Live TV, and micro-dramas—while delivering multilingual entertainment and live sports experiences.
Through Zee Entertainment’s long-term partnership with FIFA extending to 2034, ZEE5 serves as the official streaming platform in India for major FIFA football tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and 2030.