After 20 years of entertaining Indian audiences through television, Doraemon is finally making his theatrical debut in the country. According to IBW News, Doraemon the Movie: New Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil will release in cinemas across India on October 2, 2026, marking the franchise's first-ever big-screen release in the market. The film will be distributed by TV Asahi and PVR Inox Pictures and will be available in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages. This theatrical release is particularly notable as Doraemon has achieved unprecedented mainstream recognition among children and families in India, making it one of the few Japanese franchises to achieve such widespread appeal across age groups. As reported by IBW News, Maiko Sumida, head of animation sales and development at TV Asahi's International Business Department, expressed excitement about bringing Doraemon to Indian cinemas after 20 years, stating that the movie offers children across India and those who grew up with Doraemon a special journey together.
Adapted from the original manga by Fujiko F. Fujio, the story follows Nobita and his friends as they use Doraemon's secret gadgets to embark on a camping trip deep beneath the ocean. As reported by IBW News, the story begins when the group chooses to spend their summer camping in the ocean using Doraemon's secret gadgets, only to uncover a mysterious undersea civilization and a looming threat known as the "Castle of the Undersea Devil." The film promises to deliver an exciting journey that will captivate both children and longtime fans of the beloved blue robotic cat. The storyline centers on Nobita and his friends deciding to camp in the middle of the ocean using the Secret Gadgets "Underwater Buggy" and "Adapting Ray," where they encounter various sea creatures and discover a sunken ship leading to the "Mu Federation" undersea nation. The film is based on the original manga by FUJIKO F FUJIO, whose beloved characters and imaginative storytelling have captivated generations of readers and viewers around the world.
The film's India campaign will be managed by licensing and brand consulting agency Black White Orange (BWO), while Happening 365 Synergies will provide advisory and market strategy support. According to IBW News, promotions will officially begin at CORE, a pop-culture festival organized by BWO at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Center on June 20 and 21. The promotional activities will continue through school contact programmes, digital campaigns, outdoor advertising and mall-based events across the country, ensuring maximum fan engagement and consumer experiences. A dedicated 'Doraemon' zone will offer themed installations, photo opportunities, an interactive fan engagement area, and a 'Doraemon' inflatable serving as the campaign's opening salvo. An official Instagram page, Doraemon Movie India, has also been launched ahead of the film's theatrical rollout to share updates related to the release. As reported by IBW News, Mitali Desai, COO and co-founder of Black White Orange, emphasized the team's commitment to making the film's release a major event through large-scale fan engagement, consumer experiences and retail partnerships.
Maiko Sumida, head of animation sales and development at TV Asahi's International Business Department, expressed excitement about bringing Doraemon to Indian cinemas after more than two decades of popularity on television. As reported by IBW News, he stated that the company was delighted to bring Doraemon to Indian cinemas after more than two decades of popularity on television. Mitali Desai, COO and Co-founder of BWO, said the objective was to create a large-scale fan experience around the theatrical launch through consumer engagement initiatives and retail extensions. Kamal Gianchandani, CEO of PVR Inox Pictures, noted that Doraemon enjoys a strong emotional connection with Indian audiences and said the release aligns with the company's strategy of bringing globally recognised family entertainment brands to Indian theatres. As reported by IBW News, Gianchandani stated that Doraemon is a character that has transcended generations and holds a special place in the hearts of millions of Indian fans, and that the release further strengthens their commitment to bringing globally loved stories and iconic characters to Indian audiences through the theatrical experience. The release marks a significant milestone for the franchise in India, where Doraemon has built a loyal fan base over the years through television broadcasts, and also strengthens PVR Inox Pictures' growing portfolio of international family entertainment titles as demand for anime and Japanese storytelling continues to rise among Indian viewers.
