MUMBAI:In a bid to tap China‘s local market, Disney will launch its flagship show, Disney High School Musical, in Chinese language.

Working with local partners Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, the film is planned for release in 2010.
 
Under development for over a year and created for Chinese audiences, Disney High School Musical: China is the story of a new student who meets a gifted young man with whom she shares a secret passion for singing.

With the help of their friends, they overcome the odds to win an inter-school singing competition and discover their true calling in the process.

Says Walt Disney Studios International Production GM Jason Reed, "Disney‘s ongoing commitment to local content development underpins our strategy to connect with new audiences around the world.

"Our local team has done an amazing job and we are fortunate to be building on the Disney Channel‘s success by working with a world class cast and crew led by our producer Janet Yang and visionary director Shi Zheng Chen," adds Reed.

Disney High School Musical: China is being filmed in Shanghai and features six new young stars drawn from across China.

Says Huayi Brothers Media Corporation President James Wang, "Disney HSM: China is destined to pioneer a new genre for young Chinese moviegoers by seamlessly combining the art forms of dance, music and film, together with valuable themes like teamwork, youthful energy and friendship."

In 2007, the Studio‘s first Disney-branded local co-production, The Magic Gourd, was released, followed by Roadside Romeo from India in 2008.

Trail of the Panda (China 2009) and the feature film, Book of Masters (Russia 2009), based on a classic Russian fairy tale, opened at the box-office in October.

Disney‘s sixth local production, Zokkomon, is currently in development in India and is expected to release in 2010.