Toonz Media Group, a pioneer in India’s animation industry, celebrated its 25th anniversary in a grand ceremony — bringing together luminaries from the government, creative sectors and industry to toast the company’s legacy of creativity, innovation and global impact over the past quarter century.
The celebrations commenced with a welcome address by P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the company’s partners, employees and supporters.
“As we celebrate 25 years, this milestone is not the end of our journey — it is a launchpad for the future,” the studio leader said. “The entertainment landscape is evolving rapidly, and Toonz is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. Together, we will dream bigger, create bolder, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.”
Sarada Muraleedharan IAS, Chief Secretary for the Government of Kerala, delivered the inaugural address and highlighted the critical role Toonz Media Group has played in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector in the region.
“Toonz has been at the forefront of bringing animation excellence to Kerala, and today, it stands as a global symbol of innovation and creativity,” she stated. “The Government of Kerala recognizes the potential of the AVGC sector, and with the introduction of the AVGC Policy, we are committed to fostering an ecosystem that will allow this industry to grow even further.”
During the event, accolades for outstanding contributions to the animation and AVGC sectors were awarded to two distinguished figures: Joshy Benedict, the National Award-winning animator for A Coconut Tree, was honored for his exceptional creativity. Ashish Kulkarni, Chairman of FICCI’s AVGC-XR Committee, was recognized for his pioneering leadership in the AVGC sector. Dr. V. Venu, former Chief Secretary and Chairperson of the Kochi Biennale Foundation, presented the awards to both.
Muraleedharan presented the 25 Years’ Service Award to several long-serving employees, including CEO P. Jayakumar, recognizing their unwavering dedication and contributions to the company’s success.
The event also hosted G. Vijaya Raghavan, former Planning Board Member and IT expert, who spoke about Toonz Media Group’s transformative role in blending creativity with technology and its impact on Kerala’s AVGC sector.
The anniversary event coincided with the Government of Kerala’s announcement of its AVGC Policy, which aims to position the state as a global hub for animation, visual effects, gaming and comics. This policy emphasizes infrastructure development, talent enhancement, and international market access, ensuring Kerala remains a prime destination for creative industries.
Toonz is a 360-degree media powerhouse with over two decades of unparalleled experience and one of the world’s most active animation production studios (over 10,000 minutes of 2D and CGI kids and family content per year). The studio’s animation series and features credits include Wolverine and the X-Men with Marvel, Speed Racer: The Next Generation with Lionsgate, and Gummy Bear and Friends. Toonz has also ventured into emerging technologies like AR, VR and Gaming.
