Kids
Disney opens first & largest store in the world in China
MUMBAI: Disney Store has opened the doors of its flagship store in the popular Lujiazui area of Pudong, Shanghai, China.
The landmark store is the largest retail space of any Disney Store in the world featuring 5000 square meters of immersive shopping experiences and innovative product, and also features an outdoor plaza.
“We couldn’t be more delighted to open our first Disney Store in China, in Shanghai. Disney Store plays a critical role in how millions around the world experience our brand and allows kids, young adults and families to have a uniquely fun and immersive experience while shopping for their favorite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars products,” said The Walt Disney Company, Asia-Pacific president Paul Candland.
The Chinese characters representing the specific date and time chosen to open its doors to the public – 20 May at 1:14 p.m., represents highly popular social media code among young people as a time to openly express love and long-term commitment to each other.
In a momentous week for The Walt Disney Company in China, the opening of the Disney Store in Shanghai comes one day after the topping of the Enchanted Storybook Castle at Shanghai Disney Resort, which is due to open next year.
“We want to thank the people of Shanghai for welcoming us to the City and could think of no better way than to open the store on 20 May at 1314 hours,” said Candland.
With an estimated 40 million tourists visiting the Lujiazui area each year, the Disney Store, with its product range and entertaining, immersive and innovative design elements, is looking to become a meeting point among locals contributing to Shanghai’s reputation as a family, business, cultural, entertainment and tourism destination.
“We welcome the first Disney Store in China to Shanghai’s Pudong District and are excited about the unique role it will play to bring a new energy to Lujiazui. The Disney store is a stunning new landmark of retail, tourism and culture in China,” added Pudong government deputy governor Jian Danian.
The interior of the Shanghai Store was designed using Disney’s award-winning, innovative format, featuring elements unique to the area that will surprise and delight Guests and bring to life the most popular characters from across Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
The store has numerous design features unique to Shanghai which include: a Disney Magic Kingdom Castle; a Marvel area with hand-sculpted statues of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and an 8-foot-tall Hulk; a character balloon area with one-of-a kind sculpted hot-air balloons featuring Disney characters; unique Mickey Mouse-shaped roof sculpted with over 8,000 LED lights visible from key tourism vantage points such as the Pearl Tower; and a landscaped plaza amongst others.
Additionally, to mark the opening of its first Store in the country, The Walt Disney Company in China has announced a $100,000 (RMB620 000) charitable donation to the Shanghai Charity Foundation (Pudong Chapter) to support programs that benefit kids and families in the Pudong District, where the store is located.
“Disney is proud to support our local community and do what we can to help bring happiness and magic to kids and families in need,” said The Walt Disney Company in China chairman Stanley Cheung.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
