MIRA, ROYAL DETECTIVE – Disney Junior
Since its premiere in March 2020 and for more than 100 stories, Mira, Royal Detective has highlighted the rich, diverse cultures of India. Each episode centers on the clever heroine Mira and her friends, including her sleuthing mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku, as they help others by solving mysteries in their kingdom community of Jalpur. Mira, Royal Detective boasts a talented South Asian cast, including Freida Pinto, Kal Penn, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Hannah Simone, Jameela Jamil, Aparna Nancherla, Aasif Mandvi, Sonal Shah, Parvesh Cheena, and Leela Ladnier as the voice of Mira.
One of the most fantastic things about Mira, Royal Detective is that it celebrates authentic Indian music and dance, as well as language, art, and even holidays. Among the Mira, Royal Detective milestones are ‘The Great Kathak’ mystery which featured an animated Nakul Dev Mahajan who choreographs the episodes, ‘The Case of the Runaway Tabla’, which featured noted Tabla player Zakir Hussain, the ‘Mystery of the Missing Mehfil’ (poetry reading), ‘Mira’s Musical Mystery Tour’ which celebrates the arts and teachers. Also of note are the holiday-themed episodes centered around Holi and Diwali and an Eid al-Fitr episode with cast Rizwan Manji, Ayana Manji, Zehra Fazal, and Kausar Mohammed. Plus, so many more mysteries!
MIRA, ROYAL DETECTIVE – The Big Jalpur Wedding Mystery’ Disney Junior Disney+. (Disney)
The upcoming Bollywood-themed specials celebrate the iconic genre of the Indian film industry, aka Bollywood, with robust musical performances, spectacular costuming, and elaborate dance numbers by series’ choreographer/dance consultant Nakul Dev Mahajan. Among the guest stars are Lilly Singh, Nik Dodani, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Punam Patel, Megan Suri, Kapil Talwalkar, and ESPN sportscaster Kevin Negandhi.
Nakul Dev Mahajan said, “These specials bring Bollywood dance, a genre that I love deeply, front and center for kids and their entire families too. This show gave me the chance to proudly showcase so many styles of dance, including Kathak, which I never thought I would see on American TV, and it’s icing on the cake to now focus entirely on Bollywood dance.”
Sascha Paladino (“Miles from Tomorrowland”) is executive producer. It was developed by story editor and co-producer Becca Topol (“Elena of Avalor”), and IW Group’s Shagorika Ghosh Perkins is the series’ cultural consultant and consulting producer. It is a production of Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior, with animation by Technicolor India.
Shagorika Ghosh Perkins said, “I speak for everyone who made this show when I say it’s been a joyful and rewarding experience to be part of a series that highlights South Asian culture in such a bold and beautiful way. We’re so proud of its contribution to the cultural landscape and what it offers a generation of young children.”
The schedule for the four specials follows:
MONDAY, MAY 2
“The Mystery of the Legendary Sword” – Mira and her friends embark on an epic quest to find a legendary sword said to belong to the rightful ruler of Jalpur.
MONDAY, MAY 16
“Mikku and Chikku’s Hometown Mystery” – Mira is thrilled to accompany Mikku and Chikku to their hometown, a mongoose-filled village where she meets their parents, joins a local festival, and helps solve a surprising mystery.
MONDAY, MAY 30
“The Mystery of the Royal Flight” – When Neel’s new flying invention gets a mysterious hole during a big royal event, Mira must figure out what happened before it’s too late.
MONDAY, JUNE 20
“The Big Jalpur Wedding Mystery” – It’s the day of a huge, joyful wedding in Jalpur, and Mira and her friends must track down the missing groom so the wedding can go on as planned.
Be sure to tune into these special episodes! We know we will be waiting and watching!
