Disney announces Indian-inspired TV series

In a first, Disney is producing a TV show inspired by Indian culture and customs, reported USA Today. Titled, Mira, Royal Detective, the animated series is targetted at preschoolers and is set in the fictional, Indian-inspired land of Jalpur.

The protagonist is a courageous and resourceful girl named Mira, who is appointed royal detective after she saves the kingdom's prince. The lead role will be voiced by 15-year-old newcomer Leela Ladnier and the supporting cast includes actors of Indian heritage.

While actors Kal Penn and Utkarsh Ambudkar will provide the comic relief as a pair of mongoose sidekicks, Hannah Simone will voice a young commoner named Pinky and Jameela Jamil will be Mira's Auntie Pushpa. Freida Pinto is also part of the ensemble cast and will voice Queen Shanti.

The adventure series, which aims to encourage critical thinking and deductive reasoning, is set to air on Disney Junior channels around the world in 2020, according to a Disney statement. Each episode will include music and dance between two 11-minute stories.

"We are eager to introduce kids and their families to the rich, diverse cultures and customs of India through Mira, a young girl who looks at things with her own unique lens to gain different perspectives and help others in her community," Joe D'Ambrosia, senior vice president of original programming at Disney Junior, said in a written statement.

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He added, "We hope that she will encourage our audience to actively engage with the inspiring world around them and appreciate the little details that make life extraordinary."

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