Event Coverage
India does not need a second censorship for films: Chavan
MUMBAI: The largest meet on the business of entertainment in Asia, Ficci-Frames 2010, got off today with a political statement when Chief Minister Ashok Chavan categorically said that India “does not need another censor board”, clearly alluding to the recent controversy relating to the film My Name is Khan. 
Chavan assured the film fraternity, which included eminent filmmakers Yash Chopra and Karan Chopra apart from Shah Rukh Khan himself, that the state government will not allow any second censorship when the country already has the Central Board of Film Certification, indirectly referring to the Shiv Sena protests against My Name is Khan after Shah Rukh Khan‘s statement about Pakistanu cricketers not being taken by the IPL (Indian Premier League) franchises.
Chavan said that there was need to send out the message that one needed to uphold the Constitution of the country and support democratic means.
He claimed that the phased release of the film ‘My name is Khan’ in the face of protestors was not a mere political stunt but a well thought out strategy to send out a message to those who fomented trouble.
Addressing the inaugural session, Chavan also assured all help to the film industry in curbing piracy which was resulting in huge losses. He said there were adequate laws to deal with the menace but there was need for greater implementation and enforcement.
He also assured both the Ficci and the film industry that the state government would extend all help in marking the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013 and he would personally look into any suggestions in this regard.
He said the aim was to work towards the best infrastructure support for the entertainment industry in the state.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
