Andhra Pradesh partners with CLA to set up India's First Transmedia Entertainment City
Andhra Pradesh partners with CLA to set up India's First Transmedia Entertainment City
The Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has partnered with Creativeland Asia (CLA) to establish India's first Transmedia Entertainment City, named Creatorland. This ambitious project aims to revolutionise the entertainment landscape with immersive theme parks, gaming zones, and global cinema co-production facilities, contributing significantly to job creation, skill development, tourism, and digital innovation.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed during the WAVES Summit, which took place in Mumbai from 1 to 4 May and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narender Modi. Shri Kandula Durgesh, the Hon'ble Minister for Tourism and Entertainment in Andhra Pradesh, signed the MOU alongside Ms Amrapali Kata, CEO of Tourism, and Mr Sajan Raj Kurup, Founder of Creativeland Studios Entertainment and Chairman of Creators Inc London, in the presence of notable global figures from the media and entertainment sector.
CLA is in discussions with over 20 international studios, intending to make India their primary production hub. The ongoing initiative is expected to attract investments estimated between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000 crore over the next five to six years. These funds will facilitate the development of a Virtual Studio Complex featuring AI-based real-time rendering and volumetric capture technologies, immersive theme parks, esports arenas, and a dedicated academy focused on skilling youth in visual effects (VFX), artificial intelligence (AI), gaming, and immersive storytelling.
The initiative represents a landmark endeavour in cross-border collaboration within the media and entertainment industry, facilitating research and innovation in AI-driven content and creative workflows. Creatorland will create significant career opportunities, aiming to skill over 10,000 young individuals annually and generating more than 150,000 new jobs across entertainment, technology, and tourism sectors.
Shri Kandula Durgesh remarked, 'This partnership marks an exciting milestone for Andhra Pradesh's film and entertainment tourism. Creatorland will not only enrich our entertainment economy but also transform visitor experiences. We are devoted to fostering diverse, high-quality production and leveraging cutting-edge technology.'
Sajan Raj Kurup added that Creatorland transcends being just a destination; it aims to blend technology with culture and integrate global talent with Indian creativity, propelling India onto the global stage as a leader in entertainment infrastructure.
Ms Amrapali Kata stated, 'The Creatorland project embodies our commitment to innovative tourism and economic growth, showcasing how entertainment infrastructure and talent development can generate opportunities for local communities
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Bir Biling, Himachal Pradesh - A tragic incident happened during paragliding in 2023, when a tourist's safety harness malfunctioned mid-air, raising concerns about unlicensed operators and outdated equipment. After thorough investigation, it was revealed that the flight was operated by an unregistered operator. This tragedy led to widespread public outcry and renewed regulations along with better standards for paragliding operators. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand - Several cases of rafting accidents were reported due to overloading and untrained guides during river rafting. One such case occured in 2017, when a Delhi tourist tragically died after a raft capsized near Garud Chatti bridge. After this incident, local authorities launched safety audits, however, implementation is still not consistent. Common themes? Unlicensed operators, untrained staff, and inadequate equipment. Today, Adventure sports in India vary in price depending on the location and season. Scuba diving costs between Rs 1,500 and Rs 8,000 per dive, with Andaman and Lakshadweep on the higher end. River rafting in places like Rishikesh can range from Rs 499 to Rs 2,999 per person, depending on the stretch covered. Paragliding prices start at Rs 1,800 and can go up to Rs 5,500 in top spots like Bir Billing. But are they safe? Shreya Chawla* (name changed as per request), a 23-year-old professional from Noida, who loves adventure sports shares, 'They make you sign a waiver. If something happens to you, it's your fault. But the training is almost non-existent. During paragliding in Bir, I was just asked to run at a certain speed. When I went scuba diving in Goa, they dropped me into the water without any special preparation.' Louis D'Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global, a focused destination and event management company, tells NDTV that adventure tourism isn't inherently dangerous, but lack of regulation makes it so. 'We always advise travellers to check if the operator is certified, whether there's insurance, and how trained the guides are,' he adds. Where The Law Stands In 2023, India's Ministry of Tourism laid out formal 'safety guidelines' for adventure tourism. These included age limits, mandatory insurance for operators, and penalties ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000 for safety breaches. However, enforcement remains inconsistent across states. Mind you, these are just guidelines and not laws. Now, even though states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have issued more stringent region-specific guidelines, insiders say, many operators continue to flout the rules — either due to lack of awareness or because enforcement agencies lack manpower. Like Shreya's case, any first-timers trust operators blindly, not knowing what questions to ask or red flags to spot. 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