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Mattel unveils ‘Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses’ dolls, playsets & consumer products
MUMBAI: One month after Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses premiered on Cartoon Network, the movie now comes alive as Mattel Toys India (Pvt.) Ltd has launched the entire of Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses dolls, playsets and other consumer products.
The movie portrays Barbie and her sisters love for dance, team spirit, togetherness and art. The new range of Barbie dolls from Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses, are designed to be interactive dance partners, allowing girls to bring alive Ballet movements.
The toy line-up comprises of ‘Barbie as Princess Genevieve Theme Doll’ whose skirt can spin and lights up. Barbie’s sister ‘Kelly as the Dancing triplets’, can spin when charged and the ‘Let’s Dance Barbie as Princess Genevieve’ doll, allows girls to dance with Barbie doll in three different ways, informs an official release.
Speaking on the launch of ‘Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princess’ dolls and playsets, Mattel Toys India managing director Sanjay Luthra said, “This holiday, we’re excited to launch a toy line that drives back to the movie’s cornerstone themes – princess and dance – delivering an inspiring and imaginative play experience that only Barbie can provide to girls.”
‘Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses Let’s Dance!’ doll is inspired by Barbie as Princess Genevieve. In addition there are two interactive wrist bands and one shoe clip which can be used to show Barbie doll new dance moves. The doll’s arms are controlled by Infra Red and the leg is controlled by Radio Frequency technology. The Barbie doll wears a beautiful gown and comes with a removable base. It is priced at Rs. 3999.
The combination of ‘Barbie as the Princess Genevieve’ doll and ‘Kelly doll’ – Special Giftsets for this holiday season will be priced at Rs.1499. While Barbie as Princess Genevieve Doll is also available separately for Rs.999 and the Triplet Kelly Dolls Assortment available separately for Rs.599.
Other features that are part of the new range include ‘Dancing Twin Sisters Dolls’, ‘Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses Magical Dance Castle’, an ‘Expandable Horse and Carriage’, the ‘Older Sisters Doll Assortment’ and ‘Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses Princess Vanity’.
What’s more, to celebrate this range and promote dance as a form of art for young girls, Mattel Toys India has tied-up with dancing school SDIPA – Shiamak Davar’s Institute of Performing Arts, to teach, groom and polish the dancing skills of 36 young lucky fans, across all India winners of the “Barbie Flights of Fantasy contest” being run at Shoppers’ Stop key outlets and Toy stores in all metros. Along with the opportunity to learn dance, two lucky winners will also win an exotic Malaysian holiday package from Quantum Travels.
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Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
