Hold your excitement, Universal Studios is finally coming to India! And no, this isn’t a vague “under-discussion” headline or a far-off 2030 dream. The construction is likely to start as early as next year.
Yes, the same Universal Studios Japan that makes more revenue alone than India’s entire amusement park industry is setting foot on Indian soil—and it's doing it in style, with a massive $5 billion investment, as per The Economic Times report.
This iconic global entertainment brand is in advanced talks with Bharti Real Estate to build its first-ever indoor amusement park in India. The venue will be nestled inside Bharti’s upcoming 3-million-square-foot mega mall—right next to Delhi Airport. The mall, expected to open by mid-2027, is part of a larger 17-million-sq-ft Aerocity development, which is already drawing investments north of ₹6,500 crore.
About 10% of the mall’s space, or roughly 300,000 square feet, has been reserved for an international theme park. While Bharti’s CEO hasn’t officially named Universal Studios, industry insiders are confident about the collaboration.
If this deal goes through, it would mark a turning point for Indian indoor entertainment. At present, the sector is dominated by domestic, often unorganised players, with brands like Timezone and Funcity holding just 28% of the share. Most centres focus on gaming zones—but a Universal Studios attraction could set a new gold standard.
India’s indoor entertainment sector spans 6.6 million sq ft today and is expected to reach 11 million sq ft by 2028. The timing couldn’t be better.
From Hollywood rides to immersive experiences, if Universal Studios brings even a fraction of its magic from Japan, Singapore, or the US—India’s tourism and retail sectors will never be the same again.
This could be more than just a theme park. It might just be India’s Disneyland moment.
