Doraemon finally lands in Indian cinemas on October 2

MUMBAI: After two decades of ruling Indian television screens, Doraemon is finally storming the multiplex. TV Asahi and PVR INOX Pictures will release “Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil” in cinemas across India on October 2, dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu — a calculated bid to hook both nostalgic millennials and a fresh generation of pint-sized fans.

The release will not be a quiet affair. Black White Orange (BWO), India’s licensing and brand-consulting outfit, is steering a sprawling fan campaign that touches schools, malls, outdoor hoardings and digital media, with strategic advisory muscle from Happening 365 Synergies. The film itself draws on the original manga by Fujiko F Fujio, whose blue-eared, gadget-dispensing cat-robot has charmed generations across the world.

https://www.instagram.com/doraemonmovie_india

Doraemon gets his first real-world outing this weekend, popping up at CORE, India’s pop-culture festival, on June 20 and 21 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Expect a themed zone, photo-ops galore and an inflatable Doraemon big enough to make grown adults feel small again.

“We are honoured to finally bring Doraemon to the big screen in India after 20 years. In this movie, Doraemon and his friends set off on a grand adventure in the deep ocean. We hope children across India — as well as those who grew up with Doraemon — will enjoy this special journey together with them,” said Maiko Sumida, head of animation sales and development, international business department, TV Asahi.

“Doraemon has enjoyed an incredibly special connection with Indian audiences for generations, and we are excited to bring this new theatrical adventure to fans across the country in a truly immersive way. From large-scale consumer engagement and unforgettable fan experiences to exciting retail extensions, our vision is to make this Doraemon release a grand event in India,” said Mitali Desai, chief operating officer and co-founder, Black White Orange.

“Doraemon is a character that has transcended generations and holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Indian fans. At a time when the growing popularity of anime and Japanese storytelling continues to find passionate audiences across India, we are delighted to bring this film to theatres across the country and create a shared big-screen experience for families, children and longtime fans alike,” said Kamal Gianchandani, chief executive, PVR INOX Pictures.

For PVR INOX Pictures, the film slots neatly into a growing portfolio of global family titles, as the exhibitor doubles down on imported franchises to fill seats beyond Bollywood’s usual fare. An official Instagram account, “Doraemon Movie India”, has already gone live to drip-feed promotional content ahead of the release.

About the film

Unable to agree on a summer camping spot, Nobita and his friends take Doraemon’s suggestion and pitch camp in the middle of the ocean, using the gadgets “Underwater Buggy” and “Adapting Ray” to explore marine life up close. A sunken ship leads them to El, a mysterious “Sea Dweller” from the undersea Mu Federation — whose people distrust surface-dwellers on principle. Then comes the alarm: the Castle of the Undersea Devil has awoken. What it is, and why the Sea Dwellers fear it so, only Nobita’s gang can find out, as friendship and courage are pushed to the edge in a battle for the planet’s fate.

Bottom line: twenty years after it last left India swooning on the small screen, Doraemon is betting the country will pay full price to see him on the big one. October 2 will tell.