Diego Maradona animated series is in the works at Reliance Animation

Indian company Reliance Animation has obtained the intellectual property rights of the characters to develop an animated series based on the life of football legend Diego Maradona.

The Mumbai-based studio, a division of Reliance Entertainment, will create a scripted series tracing Maradona’s journey from his early years to international stardom for streaming and television platforms. The project is currently in development, with details on the creative team, distribution partners and launch schedule to be announced.

The deal was negotiated in partnership with SATTVICA SA, the holder of Maradona’s intellectual property rights based in Argentina, and brokered by Bridge Marketing Group Inc. The series will explore key moments in Maradona’s career, his personal struggles and his cultural influence on and off the pitch.

“We are excited to bring the extraordinary story of Diego Maradona to a new generation through animation,” said Shibasish Sarkar, CEO, Reliance Entertainment. “His journey of resilience, passion and success transcends sport, and we believe he will inspire audiences around the world.”

Tejonidhi Bhandare, CEO of Reliance Animation, described the project as a landmark moment for the studio. “Our team is committed to capturing the spirit, struggles and triumphs of Maradona’s life in a way that resonates with viewers of all ages and cultures,” Bhandare said.

Rita Maradona, representing SATTVICA SA, added: “We, the sisters of Diego, are very happy and proud of this new project with a company as prestigious as Reliance, with which we will seek to reach the children’s audience and make our brother known to all the children of the world.

Samuel Nieto, CEO of Bridge Marketing Group Inc., the global licensing agent for the Diego Maradona brand, added that the partnership “will help continue the legacy of the great Diego Maradona in the minds of future generations of young athletes around the world. It will be a beautiful story told through the magic of animation.”

The news was revealed on the sidelines of WAVES Film Bazaar, the commercial component of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), in Goa.

Reliance Animation is part of Reliance Group’s entertainment business, with operations spanning production, digital platforms, gaming and music.