Shah Rukh Khan acquires 26% stake in KidZania

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has acquired 26 per cent strategic stake in the Indian franchise of KidZania, an international chain of family entertainment centres. The $3.5-billion Comcraft Group, which holds the franchise for Kidzania in India, had been scouting for a significant minority investor to add value to the Indian project and decided to bring the Bollywood star on board, Economic Times reported, citing people familiar with the development.

"He brings strategic value to the deal in that he is a brand himself," said an official with knowledge of the deal. The Comcraft Group is owned by NRI Chandaria family with diverse interests in about 40 countries across the globe.

Mexico-based KidZania is an interactive family entertainment centre or indoor park that allows children between 5 and 13 age group to role-play adult occupations in a miniature city. It has activities designed to mimic real-life and functioning economy.

The more than Rs 100-crore "edutainment centre" project will unveil its first leg in India in 2012 at R City Mall in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area. The centre will be spread over more than 70,000 square feet. Similar edutainment centres are also likely to be opened later in Delhi and Bangalore.

Source : Franchise Plus