Disney animated TV series, 2020
Mira, Royal Detective is an American CGI-animated mystery children's television series produced by Wild Canary Animation, which is inspired by Indian culture and customs. The show's protagonist, Mira, is the first Indian protagonist in a Disney Junior show. It debuted on Disney Junior channel and programming block in United States on March 20, 2020, and in Canada on March 22, 2020.
On December 12, 2019, the show was renewed for a second season prior to the first season's debut. The second season premiered April 5, 2021 on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW. The series finale aired on June 20, 2022.
Plot.
Set in a fictional kingdom called Jalpur which resembles a late 19th century India, the series follows the brave and resourceful girl Mira, a commoner who is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen and travels throughout her kingdom to help royals and commoners alike. Joining Mira are her two mongoose sidekicks Mikku and Chikku.
Production.
Sascha Paladino, previously a writer for "Doc McStuffins", told the "Associated Press" in March 2020 that they wanted the series to "feel authentic" and that they did that by including "as many South Asian voices in the process as possible." He hoped that the show would, for those who aren't South Asian, allow them to see "a new and interesting culture that hopefully they'll want to explore," and said that he believed that the characters are universal enough that "all kids can relate to the stories." Shagorika Ghosh Perkins of IW Group as a cultural consultant, a Bollywood dancer named Nakul Dev Mahajan, and other designers, musicians, writers, those working in the animation studio in India, were consulted in making the show. The series was created for kids ages 2 to 7, with each of Mira's decisions encouraging "critical thinking and deductive reasoning in young viewers" in the view of "Romper.
 Paladino also stated that the show's crew was "inspired by the Indian culture on every level."
The show is developed by Becca Topol, who previously worked on "Elena of Avalor", who is also the story editor. Perkins, the show's cultural consultant, called the show a "celebration of Indian and South Asian culture," and added that she is glad that her daughter's generation will "have a character and role model to identify with and look up to." She further said the show allows South Asian children to "see themselves on television" and that those new to the culture will be "exposed to it in a fun and accessible way."
Music.
Deepak Ramapriyan, a Baltimore-born musician, whose parents are immigrants from India, is the orchestrator and music consultant for the show. In March 2020, he told the "Baltimore Sun" that when listening to the music score for the series he sometimes feels like he is dreaming and said that seeing everything about the series is "mindblowing." He also described the show, to the Sun, as a "full-on sharing Indian culture in all of its aspects," saying that viewers are now able to "see the vast and rich magic and color of India, and have it expressed in such a beautiful way," calling this a major positive. One of the voice actors, Shah, called the music catchy and easy to dance to, while Cheena, another voice actor, was happy that the music is done in such a way that parents, and kids, can be involved and interested in it. Apart from this, Amritha Vaz is the music composer for the series.
Paladino also said that to prepare for the show they watched a lot of Bollywood films which have huge musical numbers, so they decided to depict that in the animation with dancing by lots of characters while using "authentic Indian music and instruments." Nakul Dev Mahajan, a Bollywood choreographer, who worked on the show, said he gets the script and music, talks with the writers and crew of the show, choreographs the piece, videotapes himself and assistants, then send those videos to the team, with the artists animating the movements of his body and that of his assistants. He was also appreciative that the team working on the show, with many interested in Bollywood dancing, and said that the show celebrates styles of Indian dance from various regions across the country.
Visual art.
The art director for the series, Dorothea Gerassimova, says that she was inspired and energized to convey the beautiful patterns, culture, and art in India, calling it a "fantastic opportunity to create this wonderful, stylized world." She also noted that the show was able to weave in inspiration from "Indian architecture, art, colors, fabrics and patterns" along with detailed architecture and art from India.
Voice acting.
Ladnier, when interviewed by the Associated Press, called the show a "pretty good start to a career" and said that the show is a reminder of "how beautiful" Indian culture is. Additionally, Kal Penn expressed his excitement over the show, saying that the current generation is going be a group of kids "for whom this is going to be normal," without the emotional baggage of a lack of representation in the past. Frieda Pinto called the show important for Indian, South Asian, and Desi kids, while Utkarsh Ambudkar hoped that the show created the space where "young brown children can watch TV and see themselves," Karan Brar said that it was exciting to push forward more diverse content, while Maulik Pancholy hoped that the show will encourage children to celebrate and explore Indian culture. Sonal Shah called the show special, as it has a lot of meaning behind it, and said that the show is "so awesome" while Parvesh Cheena agreed with her assessment of the show. Shah said that her friend suggested her for the part, and Cheena said that he did "a normal audition" but that the producers offered that he be a bandit with Sonal, which he accepted. In another interview, Cheena said that playing a bandit was a lot of fun. Jameela Jamil, another voice actor, praised that the show is representing "different people from different cultures around the world." The cast of the show is "completely South Asian" and all are from the Indian diaspora as noted by Cheena.
Release.
It premiered on Disney Junior in the United States on March 20, 2020, while it premiered in India on March 22. The show had its first international debut in Canada on March 22. It premiered in South Korea on April 29. The following month, on May 24, it premiered on Disney+ Hotstar Premium. It premiered in Disney Junior Asia &amp; Hong Kong on July 3, 2020. (Also known as the final program before closing on October 1, 2021.) It premiered in Brazil on July 20, 2020. Later that year, it premiered in Israel on October 2 with Hebrew dubbing, and in Spain and Poland on November 9. It premiered in United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy on Disney+ on April 2, 2021. It will premiere in France and Netherlands in 2022.
From May 2 to June 20, four specials which celebrate music and dancing from Bollywood will be presented on Disney Junior, consisting of the third and final season of "Mira, Royal Detective".
Reception.
Critical response.
Shagorika Ghosh Perkins of "ColorLines" praised the diversity of the series, saying, "Bringing these experiences and stories to a new generation of children will enrich their lives, help to bridge the geographical divide and hopefully activate viewers’ imaginations, stimulate curiosity, and empower young minds to build trust, respect and friendships." Burkely Hermann of "I Love Libraries" praised the series for positively portraying libraries, as shows like "She-Ra and the Princesses of Power", "Hilda", "Cleopatra in Space", and "Too Loud" have done, noting specific episodes with library scenes which show the value of libraries and the organization of these institutions. He specifically highlights an episode where Mira is tasked with solving a "library-related mystery" as she peddles a bookmobile across the city, with the characters singing a "sweet song about the importance of reading and libraries" and Mira saying that library materials should be checked out correctly so the "library can keep track of their materials," allowing them to be available to others. Emily Ashby of "Common Sense Media" rated the show a 4 out of 5 stars. She further noted that the sources authentically incorporates various aspects of Indian culture, while stories challenge Mira and her friends to solve mysteries, and her extended family members are important part of her life, making clear that family isn't limited to her nuclear family. Ashby also praised the lively music and the "right touch of fantasy" like talking animals and flying vehicles for its "young audience."
Some people from the Indian-American community praised the series, calling it "incredible" and "pretty cool" to see representation of themselves on TV, praising the involvement of South Asians in the production process, and singing along with people of all ages and races singing along with the "We're on the case" song.
Notes.
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References.
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