Event Coverage
Quotient of entertainment being re-defined, believes Lulla
Indiantelevision.com’s series of interviews with the speakers of next week’s FRAMES 2003 convention continues with SET’s Executive VP Sunil Lulla briefly holding forth on the state of content and what we can expect from it.
Lulla will be part of the discussion panel which will debate on ‘Television Programming: Getting the right mix’.
The last year has seen a large number of big budget programmes being launched by all channels. Also, a lot of big film personalities are set to launch their TV careers. Are the investments in these stars justified? Will it reap returns for the channels?
Understanding viewers’ needs and the ability to tap into them is more important to the style, buzz value and pizzazz that big scale productions and stars may bring. A big personality is no sure shot to success. The TV industry has spawned many a talent, which is no less a household name and in equal footing too.
Hence the ability to create the magic out of consumer understanding; the ability to weave magic around the art of story telling and the ability to break a format – will drive success better.
The lure of cable & satellite’s wide reach and growing popularity is an invitation for larger investment. It’s a natural extension for the movie industry. However, the rigour of the TV industry is quite different. Those who adapt successfully, will see the fruits of patience bear out.
What is the next stage of evolution in TV programming?
We should expect to see segmentation of General Entertainment needs. Reality – in the positive way of life can grow. Integration to other forms of communication and entertainment will grow. On the other hand – getting people to grip the edge of the seat, shed a tear, rip a rib with laughter will not change.
We are seeing the way in which sports is becoming more entertaining; with the advent of so many news channels, we should see news becoming more entertaining. Hence, the category of general entertainment will see the quotient of entertainment being re-defined.
Hence, the extension of entertainment into reality and into other parts of our life, should be the next step.
What is going to drive viewership in the coming years?
There are no simple answers. Viewers are going to fragment and their tastes are going to evolve. Staying on the edge of understanding their needs will drive viewership. The extension of entertainment into their lives via telecom and reality – will drive viewership. India will not change dramatically, as large parts of India are yet to be exposed to cable and satellite TV as yet. The upscale modern part of India has a different set of needs and the sub urban parts of India may lag. On the whole, therefore, the ability to segment and differentiate will be a driving force. The quality of entertainment continues to change; the essence does not!
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.
