Leaving kids and young fans enthralled at the recently launched KidZania, an indoor theme park aimed at spreading "edutainment", Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan talked about his priorities to create a safe and fun environment for children and their families.
While playing the role of a professional fire fighter, the film star participated in some real life activities offered by the Edutainment Park on Tuesday. Shah Rukh, who has 26 per cent shares in KidZania’s India franchise, left the audience smitten by his charm.
Launched on 26 May, KidZania is the first edutainment park that hosts a range of activities that mimic the real, adult world. The Mexican brand in association with Shah Rukh Khan offers a unique experience to children to work at different places and for different companies.
For the 50-year-old-actor, it was "true joy" to be able to see such "happy faces". He said he is "proud" to be associated with a place, which not just entertains but also educates children in an innovative way.
"As a father, it gives me great pride to offer other families this wonderful opportunity to allow their children to learn the ways of the real world in a fun and exciting environment. Our priority is to create a safe and fun environment to introduce values such as financial literacy, responsibility and dignity of labor to children. Now we have two KidZania centres in India and I commit to open the next one in south India," he said.
Ditching the long-followed tradition of going for any roller-coaster ride or at water parks during summer vacations, kids in Noida are nowadays enjoying working as adults at KidZania. The park, set up with an investment of Rs 130 crore, is one of the largest edutainment theme parks in Asia.
KidZania has collaborated with over 27 real-world brands. It currently has two facilities in India, one in Mumbai has been operational since 2013 and the second one is now launched in the Delhi National Capital Region.
At KidZania tickets are categorized according to age and time/shift starting at Rs 300 for a toddler below 4 years and INR 600 for kids 4-16 for a 3 hours shift and increasing thereon for 5 hours & full day shift. KidZania is operational all days from 10 am to 9 pm.
Founded in 1999 by Xavier Lopez Ancona, KidZania has its global headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico. There are currently 24 KidZania facilities located in 19 countries with additional 6 facilities under development. Since it’s opening in 1999, KidZania has entertained more than 50 million global visitors and 1,000 brand partners.
KidZania India franchise rights are owned by Imagination Edutainment. Singapore-based KidZ Inc owns 74 per cent of the franchise and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan owns the remaining 26 per cent.
