Event Coverage
Spoken Fest attracts Indian and global brands to harness storytelling and content marketing
Mumbai: Kommune India to unveil the grandeur of SpokenFest’24, slated for the 3, 4 February at JIO World Garden BKC, Mumbai. This festival is a celebration of words, weaving together various forms such as stories, music, poetry, Shayari, comedy, and art installations, creating an inclusive space for fans of all kinds. This year’s extravaganza is fueled by the dynamic partnership of leading real estate giant Arkade House, the title sponsor, and global beauty powerhouse, L’Oreal Paris.
In a symphony of words, music, and dazzling experiences, SpokenFest’24 guarantees an immersive journey for all. As the title sponsor, Arkade House’s three decade legacy in Mumbai’s real estate is set to unveil the ‘Arkade House’ area – a vibrant space pulsating with activities that echo Arkade’s family-first philosophy. From personalised name plate crafting to a community wall envisioning dream homes, instant photo ops, and exclusive fan meet-ups with celebrities like Shweta Tripathi Sharma, Slow Cheetah, Abish Mathew, Ahsaas Channa, and Sriti Jha, Arkade House promises an extravaganza for all ages. The Kid’s Corner hosts the ‘Budding Stars’ competition, aligning with Arkade’s commitment to community building and the family-first ethos. Additionally, Arkade is offering the family-first ticket providing a cost-effective option for a family of four to enjoy the festival experience together.
Alongside, L’Oreal Paris, the epitome of global beauty, is partnering with SpokenFest’24 to support words, voices, and stories because “we’re all worth it!” L’Oreal Paris aims to infuse glamour with experiences like a conversation with Mallika Dua and Chitrangda Singh celebrating choices and empowerment, a storytelling performance by Mithila Palkar, and the ‘Get Ready with L’Oreal’ zone offering festival-goers glamorous makeovers.
Furthermore, SpokenFest’24 takes immense pride in its collaboration with a major lineup of sponsors, each deeply committed to the profound impact of words, voices, and stories. These partners play pivotal roles in enhancing the festival experience.
DBS Bank takes the stage as the sustainability Partner, aligning with SpokenFest’s commitment to environmental consciousness. Fratelli Wines joins in as the celebration partner, adding a touch of festivity to the event. Black & White contributes to the vibrant atmosphere as the festivity partner, creating an ambience of shared joy and openness. Bira steps in as the merchandise partner, bringing a unique flair to the festival’s merchandise offerings. Nandan Coffee, the coffee partner, ensures attendees stay energised and engaged throughout the event. Paytm Insider seamlessly manages the ticketing experience as the dedicated ticketing partner. Together, these sponsors not only add significant value to the festival but also exemplify a shared belief in the transformative power of storytelling and collective experiences.
Sharing its enthusiasm Arkade Developers states, “In joining hands with SpokenFest’24, Arkade proudly embraces a celebration of storytelling, poetry, music, and comedy. At Arkade, we’re more than builders; we’re creators of feel-good spaces for families. And Spoken Fest is not just an event; it’s a platform for shared experiences, echoing the values we hold dear at Arkade. This sponsorship aligns seamlessly with our ethos, and we’re thrilled to introduce the ‘Arkade House’ at Spoken Fest – a dedicated space resonating with our family-first philosophy. Through engaging activities like name plate making and a message wall we aim to foster the spirit of community. Together, let’s build memories, laughter, and a sense of home for all ages.”
Grateful for sponsors contributing to the festival’s magic, Kommune co founder Ankur Tewari expresses, “Spoken is a melting pot of people, who get together, as a family, to celebrate each other’s stories. The purpose is to build a safe space for people, to come and share their life experiences through poems, stories and songs. Every verse, plot, and note of their narration is hand-crafted to make everyone feel the togetherness. Arkade fits the spoken philosophy like a glove. With Arkade’s commitment to building spaces for families, there couldn’t be a better match for the title sponsor. L’Oréal’s support as our powered-by sponsor helps us support the storytellers who are bringing forward their experiences that enabled them to feel worth it and empowered them to move ahead in life. I’m looking forward to experiencing two wonderful days with our partners who are helping us in connecting hearts.”
With over 75 artists set to grace the stage over two enriching days, SpokenFest’24 promises to be a treat for the ears and a soothing balm for the soul. Join them at Jio Garden BKC Mumbai on the 3,4 February for an extraordinary celebration of words, voices, and stories where every word, every note, and every story will find its perfect rhythm.
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.
