C.O.R.E. – Culture of Real Experiences concluded its debut edition in Mumbai with more than 13,000 attendees over two days, establishing itself as one of India’s largest and most immersive pop-culture festivals.
Conceptualized by Fanthology Studios in collaboration with Black White Orange, the festival brought together fans of entertainment, gaming, anime, cinema, music, art, technology, collectibles, and storytelling under one roof. Hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre, the event attracted audiences across generations, from young children to senior citizens, highlighting the growing influence of fandom culture in India.
The festival featured over 80 brands and exhibitors, more than 2,000 creators and community members, immersive experiences, interactive zones, live performances, and fan engagement activities. Among the major attractions were the F1 simulation experience, character parades, creator interactions, and India Gully, which celebrated India’s achievements in space exploration and defence through stories from ISRO and the Indian Armed Forces.
C.O.R.E. also provided a platform for emerging talent through the C.O.R.E Artist Lab, where ten Indian artists showcased and sold their work. The festival further strengthened India’s cosplay community with one of the country’s largest cosplay showcases, featuring six winners and a total prize pool of ₹5.8 lakh.
Adding a social impact dimension to the event, Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis partnered with C.O.R.E. to bring 400 children from underprivileged farming families supported by the Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana to experience the festival. The initiative aimed to expose children to creativity, technology, storytelling, and new experiences while encouraging them to dream bigger.
The entertainment lineup included performances by W.I.S.H., Ritviz, AminJaz, Karan Kanchan, and Nucleya, alongside creator sessions and showcases celebrating global entertainment, anime, gaming, and Indian storytelling.
Speaking on the success of the inaugural edition, Bhavik Vora, Co-Founder, C.O.R.E. and Fanthology Studios, said, “C.O.R.E. was born from a simple belief that fandom is one of the strongest cultural forces shaping today’s generation. The response we witnessed over these two days has exceeded every expectation. Seeing over 13,000 fans, thousands of creators, artists, families and communities come together proves that India is ready for a world-class platform built around shared passions and real experiences. This is just the beginning of the C.O.R.E. journey, and we are excited to take this movement to newer cities and build an even larger community of fans in the years to come.”
Avisha Goswamy, Head of Operations and Business Head at C.O.R.E., said, “C.O.R.E. was created to bring the worlds fans have only experienced on screen into real life. Our goal is to give people the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures, characters, and stories they love through meaningful, interactive experiences. We are not competing with other festivals; we are contributing to India’s growing fandom movement by creating immersive, officially licensed experiences that go beyond traditional retail. The response to our debut edition has been incredible, and we are excited to bring C.O.R.E. to more cities across India in the coming year.”
Addressing attendees at the festival, Amruta Fadnavis said, “This is what culture truly means, bringing real experiences to life. The way gaming, comics, anime, technology, VR, and more have been showcased in one place is remarkable. It is a great space for young minds to connect and a glimpse of what our future looks like. Beyond the fun, there is so much for children to learn through interactive workshops and experiences ranging from ISRO and the Indian Navy to SUMO Wrestlers from Japan. It is a perfect celebration of fandom, and I applaud this first-of-its-kind festival. This is for our next generation and for the world that lies ahead. I congratulate the organisers for putting together this festival for our youth to celebrate.”
She further added, “Thank you to C.O.R.E. for opening its doors to 400 children from farming families supported by the Bharatiya Jain Sanghatana. For many of them, this is an opportunity to experience a world they may never have otherwise encountered. Exposure to creativity, technology, storytelling, and new ideas has the power to inspire young minds, broaden horizons, and encourage them to dream bigger. Initiatives like these can play a meaningful role in shaping a brighter future for our children.”
Following the success of its Mumbai debut, C.O.R.E. is now exploring expansion into Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. With a vision to create India’s largest platform for fandom, creativity, and immersive cultural experiences, the festival aims to build a nationwide community where fans can engage with the characters, stories, and worlds they love through official licensed experiences and real-world interactions.
