Event Coverage
Cinépolis India bags two prestigious awards at MAPIC India 2023
Mumbai: Cinépolis, a world-renowned international movie exhibitor and the first international cinema chain in India is thrilled to announce its remarkable achievement at the MAPIC India 2023, formerly known as India Retail Forum. The company has been honoured with the coveted “Most Admired Retailer of the Year: Best Turnaround Story” & “Retailer of the Year- Leisure and Entertainment category” award.
Cinépolis India’s recognition in the “Best Turnaround Story” & “Retailer of the Year- Leisure and Entertainment” category is a testament to the company’s dedication, resilience, and transformative journey in the face of unprecedented challenges. The award celebrates Cinépolis India’s remarkable resurgence, highlighting its ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving industry landscape. Despite the daunting challenges posed by the global pandemic, Cinépolis India demonstrated remarkable leadership and innovation to emerge as a pioneer in the leisure, entertainment and retail sectors.
Cinepolis India CEO Devang Sampat expressed his gratitude and excitement, saying, “We are truly honoured to receive this prestigious award. The journey of Cinépolis India over the past few years has been nothing short of remarkable. We faced unparalleled challenges, but through unwavering commitment, creativity, and the dedication of our talented team, we have emerged stronger than ever before. This award is a testament to our commitment to providing world-class cinema experiences to our patrons and our relentless pursuit of excellence.”
The “Most Admired Retailer of the Year: Best Turnaround Story” award serves as a recognition of Cinépolis India’s commitment to its patrons, partners, and stakeholders. The company’s innovative initiatives, including the introduction of advanced technology, enhanced safety protocols, and an immersive cinema experience, have not only reinvigorated the brand but have also set new standards for the entire cinema industry. It reaffirms the company’s position as a leader in the entertainment and retail sector, dedicated to delivering unparalleled experiences to audiences across India.
“The Retailer of the Year- Leisure & Entertainment” category celebrates and honours the most outstanding leisure and entertainment concepts for their unparalleled originality and exceptional performances throughout the past year. This prestigious accolade takes into account crucial factors such as the remarkable growth in global sales and the establishment of new units within the industry. This coveted award serves as a resounding testament to Cinépolis India’s unwavering dedication to its cherished patrons, esteemed partners, and valued stakeholders. It reaffirms the company’s steadfast position as an industry leader in the dynamic world of leisure, entertainment, and retail, where they continually strive to deliver unparalleled and memorable experiences to audiences.
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.
