TMKOCverse: India’s Longest Running TV Series Expanding into Entertainment Empire
Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma (TMKOC), one of India’s longest-running television series, is venturing into new horizons, aiming to create a vast entertainment universe that includes gaming, edutainment, e-commerce, and even the possibility of a theme park. Neela Films, the production company behind the show, has unveiled Neela Mediatch Pvt Ltd (NMPL), a new venture with an initial investment of Rs 24 crore to spearhead expansion into these diverse categories.
NMPL has made a resounding entry into the gaming world with its offering, TMKOC Play, which has already notched up 5 million downloads and anticipates reaching a remarkable 100 million by March 2024. This gaming platform features an array of free-to-play games, cloud-based adventures, and blockchain-powered quests.
The game lineup encompasses both single and multiplayer formats, with titles such as “Bhide Scooter Race,” “Run Jetha Run,” and “Jump Bhide Jump,” among others.
Asit Modi, Managing Director of Neela Film Production and NMPL, shared insights into their long-standing vision, stating, “We have been contemplating expanding the reach of TMKOC characters beyond the TV show for quite some time. The surge in gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated our efforts, and over the last 12 months, we have assembled a team of product managers and game developers. We currently have 25 games ready to roll out in the ‘play to win’ category, with many more in development. Our investments are focused on building a substantial gaming library and assets.”
Furthermore, NMPL is exploring cloud gaming in collaboration with Jio, a leading telecommunications company in India. Modi revealed, “Jio has a cloud gaming platform, and we are closely collaborating with them. Approximately two games will be launched on Jio’s platform every two weeks.”
In a bid to offer both entertainment and education, NMPL is also developing simulation games. One such creation involves a simulation game centered on operating “Gada Electronics,” a store featured in TMKOC, allowing players to learn aspects of store management, including capital, taxes, purchase orders, and sales techniques.
In addition to gaming and edutainment, NMPL is set to launch a kids’ education app by March 2024. The company already manages the “Baalgeet” YouTube channel, which streams rhymes in multiple languages, catering to 1.5 million subscribers. The target is to surpass 5 million subscribers by the designated date, with plans to expand the content to include more languages, such as Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
The company’s expansive vision also encompasses the realm of e-commerce. NMPL plans to introduce a direct-to-customer (D2C) platform within the next month, offering a range of merchandise, stationery, mugs, sippers, clothing, and a growing array of products themed around the beloved TMKOC characters.
Looking ahead, the creators aspire to build a comprehensive TMKOC universe, including the potential development of a theme park. As negotiations proceed, NMPL’s ambitions are boundless, with aspirations to exceed the success of Neela Films in just three years.
TMKOC, now in its 15th year, has solidified its place as one of India’s most enduring television shows, and NMPL’s bold expansion initiatives are set to take the beloved series to new heights in the realm of entertainment and beyond.
