Acropolis Mall is not just a landmark in Kasba but a destination for good times and elevated lives. The Kasba shopping mall marks its 10th anniversary today. While the landmark year is worth celebrating, it’s also an occasion to look back and reflect. Sushil Mohta, chairman, Merlin Group, chats with t2 and talks about his vision behind the mall, how he tackled challenges head-on, and more.
Congratulations, Acropolis Mall completes a decade. What are your feelings when you look back?
When we launched Acropolis Mall at Kasba-Rashbehari connector a decade ago, the area was a quiet suburb. We had a vision — to transform this neighbourhood into a vibrant hub — and today that vision stands fulfilled. What was once a sleepy stretch has evolved into a bustling “Acropolis zone”, complete with its own bus stop and thriving ecosystem. The mall has been a catalyst for growth — bringing global and Indian brands, fine dining, and entertainment, while driving up land values, spurring residential and commercial developments, and creating jobs for over 5,000 people in our office block alone. But more than structures, we set out to build relationships. Acropolis today is not just a mall, it’s a lifestyle and leisure destination where families hang out, shop, dine, and celebrate. That makes our journey truly rewarding.
Every journey has its challenges. What has been your approach towards solving problems?
Challenges are inevitable, but our philosophy has been simple: Face them head-on with clarity, responsibility, and empathy. We work closely with customers, tenants, and authorities to find sustainable solutions. Our priority has always been service excellence — spotless infrastructure, welcoming ambience, well-maintained facilities from washrooms to parking, fast elevators to vibrant food courts.
The mall is witnessing a year-on-year growth in footfalls and it is necessary to provide such seamless amenities to our patrons. Transparency and collaboration with our tenants ensure trust, while the consistent patronage of our visitors keeps us motivated.
The Acropolis family has grown exponentially. It has top brands in retail and F&B offering something more to everyone...
Acropolis today houses over 100 brands across retail, F&B, and entertainment, catering to every taste and budget. Anchor stores like Shoppers Stop, Spencer’s, Croma, and Decathlon make us a one-stop destination. Fashion lovers find favourites in Levi’s, Colours, Celio, Biba, FabIndia, W, Aurelia, Manyavar, Van Huesen, Adidas, Puma, Bata, Crocs, Skechers, and more. Beauty and personal care is another strong segment, with Nykaa, The Body Shop, Sugar, Colorbar, and the recently added Forest Essentials. A top-of-the-line beauty parlour with salon and nail art outlets draws in celebrity footfalls in the mall.
The women patrons of Acropolis are also engaging extensively with the jewellery brands present in the mall. Caratlane at Acropolis is amongst the top-performing outlets in the city. Mia by Tanishq has expanded their outlet in the last financial year. Caratlane, BlueStone, Senco Jwellars are also showing exponential yearly business in Acropolis. For gadget lovers, we have Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, OnePlus, Canon, and Croma outlets.
On the F&B front, we are home to Starbucks, Mad Over Donuts, Chili’s, Asia Kitchen, Hopipola, Taco Bell, Burger King, Barbecue Nation, and a buzzing food court that remains a city favourite. For families, Timezone, VR gaming, and Simbaa Playzone keep the experience lively.
Acropolis has not just been a retail destination but also a platform for several causes. Tell us about this aspect.
We believe a mall is more than a shopping space — it’s a community platform. Acropolis was designed with the philosophy of “shop, work, play, eat” and has lived up to that promise. Over the years, we’ve hosted awareness drives, sustainability campaigns, cultural festivals, indoor sports tournaments, and social exhibitions. These initiatives make Acropolis not just a retail hub but a socially responsible space that adds value to the community.
What are your future plans for Acropolis Mall?
The future is about reinvention. We plan to bring in more global and premium brands, expand dining and entertainment options, and create experiential zones that go beyond shopping. Sustainability is also a key focus — from energy efficiency to eco-friendly practices, we are committed to building a greener Acropolis. Our vision is clear: to keep Acropolis Mall at the heart of Calcutta’s cosmopolitan spirit — a place where the city shops, works, dines, celebrates, and belongs.