India may soon become home to a global entertainment icon, with Universal Studios reportedly in advanced discussions with Bharti Real Estate to set up its first indoor amusement park in the country. According to a report by The Economic Times, the park is proposed as part of a sprawling 3-million-square-foot retail development near Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, expected to open by mid-2027.
Universal Studios, known for its iconic theme parks in the US, Japan, Singapore, and China, has long eyed expansion into emerging markets. With India’s growing urban population and increasing appetite for experiential entertainment, the country presents a compelling opportunity for the brand’s foray into the South Asian market.
The planned amusement park will be housed inside what is touted to become India’s largest mall. Bharti Real Estate, the property development arm of Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Enterprises, is reportedly set to allocate 300,000 square feet of the facility to the entertainment venture.
“We have earmarked 10% of the total leasable area for a global entertainment park,” said SK Sayal, Chief Executive of Bharti Real Estate, to The Economic Times. While Sayal declined to confirm the specific partner involved, industry sources have identified Universal Studios as the frontrunner in the talks.
Universal Studios has not issued an official comment on the matter.
If the deal is finalised, the development will mark a milestone for India’s indoor entertainment sector. As per JLL, the segment currently spans 6.6 million square feet across 523 locations and is projected to grow to 11 million square feet by 2028, fuelled by the rapid expansion of malls and large-format retail destinations.
