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India's creator economy may exceed $1 trillion by 2030
India's creator economy may exceed $1 trillion by 2030

Qatar Tribune

time23-05-2025

  • Business
  • Qatar Tribune

India's creator economy may exceed $1 trillion by 2030

Agencies Mumbai In a bold and strategic shift in direction, the Government of India has reinforced its commitment to expanding the country's 'creative economy — known as the Orange Economy' — with the successful hosting of the WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai, India's financial and entertainment capital. India's creator economy is also deeply interlinked with consumer behavior. According to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, Indian content creators currently influence over $350–$400 billion in consumer spending, and this figure is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030. The three-day summit, inaugurated by PMNarendra Modi, showcased India's ambition to evolve into a global hub for media, content creation, and digital entertainment, complementing its already established leadership in sectors like pharmaceuticals, R&D, and manufacturing, according to news agencies. WAVES 2025 was designed to position India not merely as a participant but as a leader in the global media and entertainment value chain. Indian Prime Minister Modi articulated the government's vision, emphasizing 'content, creativity, and culture' as the three foundational pillars of the Orange Economy. The message was clear: 'Create in India, create for the world.' This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to diversify India's economic engines, tapping into the high-growth potential of creative sectors including film, television, gaming, music, design, and digital platforms. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that WAVES differs from traditional film festivals by serving as a dedicated business platform for global content creators, with technology as its cornerstone. India's Orange Economy — encompassing industries such as advertising, fashion, architecture, software, publishing, electronic media, and performing arts—currently contributes 2.5 percent of GDP, estimated at over $30 billion, and supports approximately 8 percent of the country's workforce. The film and television sector alone accounts for 2.6 million jobs, both directly and indirectly. Recent data underscores the surging global demand for Indian content as Indian films screened internationally have more than doubled since 2021 and revenues from overseas markets rose sharply from INR 6 billion to INR 20 billion, according to an EY report. The creative industries' export potential—in content, gaming, animation, and production services—is expected to see robust growth, underpinned by government policy, internet penetration, and India's demographic advantage. In a first-of-its-kind move, the Indian government announced the launch of a $1 billion content creator fund, in partnership with the private sector, to catalyze content production and monetization. Simultaneously, it allocated INR 3.91 billion for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai. This institution will serve as a center of excellence for next-gen media innovation, equipping India's young creative workforce with access to advanced tools, including AI, immersive technologies, and digital IP management. These interventions reflect a paradigm shift in policy, viewing the Orange Economy not just as a cultural asset but as a core economic growth driver. The creative sector also plays a crucial role in amplifying India's soft power globally. As Minister of State for I&B Dr. L. Murugan noted, India's storytelling prowess and cultural depth have been increasingly recognized on the world stage, with Indian content transcending borders and achieving critical and commercial success internationally. India is entering a pivotal phase in its economic development, where hard infrastructure and soft cultural assets are being developed in parallel. With rising internet penetration, high mobile data usage, and a large pool of creative talent, the country presents a compelling market for advertisers, content investors, and international media companies. The WAVES 2025 summit is not just a showcase of India's creative capacity but a strategic policy and economic instrument. It underscores India's intent to lead in the global content economy, leveraging its digital infrastructure, demographic dividend, and global diaspora. As India advances toward becoming a top-tier global player in creative industries, investors, technology enablers, and media conglomerates would be well-positioned to explore opportunities in the country's rapidly expanding orange economy.

WAVES Comics Creator Championship Concludes with a Grand Finale: Heralding the Resurgence of Indian Comics
WAVES Comics Creator Championship Concludes with a Grand Finale: Heralding the Resurgence of Indian Comics

Business Standard

time20-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Business Standard

WAVES Comics Creator Championship Concludes with a Grand Finale: Heralding the Resurgence of Indian Comics

VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 20: After an exhilarating nine-month journey of imagination, storytelling, and artistic excellence, the WAVES Comics Creator Championship has officially concluded, marking a triumphant return of India's comic book culture to the national spotlight. Launched in August 2024 as a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in partnership with the Indian Comics Association (ICA), the Championship formed a vital part of the WAVES Summit 2025 (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit). It stands as the largest and most ambitious platform for comic creators in India in over seven decades. From over a thousand submissions across the country, 76 semi-finalists were selected to receive a special gift box on India's 76th Republic Day--a tribute to the creators who brought fresh narratives and unique perspectives to life. The journey culminated with the top 10 finalists showcasing their creations at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai (May 1-4, 2025). The event's pinnacle came as film legend Mithun Chakraborty graced the stage to award the Championship winners--honoring their exceptional talent, dedication, and vision. This momentous occasion further amplified the cultural significance of comics in contemporary India. The championship winners were: Professional Category The Guard - Bijoy Raveendran & Tadam Gyadu (Delhi) Worth Dying For!! - Puneet Shukla (Gorakhpur) & Piyush Kumar (Ranchi) The Last Devotee - Aparna Chaurasia (Chhatarpur) Amateur Category Ghosts of the Jungle - Rohit Shukla (Chennai) & Shivangi Shaily (Indore) Ashes of Divinity - Randeep Singh (Kendrapara) Kalkin: Pillar of the North - Suvojit Pal (Howrah) & Vivek Pradhan (Raipur) In a proud and emotional moment at Creatosphere, WAVES 2025, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met with the finalists of the Comics Creator Championship and motivated the young creators to carry forward India's storytelling legacy with courage and creativity. A Stage for Ideas and Innovation The summit was not just about competition. It was a celebration of ideas and evolution in storytelling. One of the key highlights was the panel discussion, "From Print to Pixels: The New Era of Comic Storytelling, Distribution & Design," Featuring Industry leaders Ajitesh Sharma, Preeti Vyas, Sanjay Gupta, Nikhil Pran, Faisal Mohammad and Hamza Sayed, where industry veterans and new-age creators explored the future of Indian comics in the digital star-studded panel also launched a special comics on Indian Comics History by Cinemics - The Great Indian Comics Waves. Another landmark moment was the grand launch of "Super 10," unveiled by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Honorable Minister of Information & Broadcasting, signifying the government's active role in fueling the future of India's comic industry. A Master class with a Mastermind One of the most inspiring moments at WAVES 2025 was the exclusive masterclass by Shri Anupam Sinha, the iconic creator of Super Commando Dhruva. Titled "Master the Art of Comics & Storytelling," the session offered participants deep insights into the creative process from one of India's most respected comic visionaries. A heartfelt thank you to Anupam Sir for sharing his time, wisdom, and passion. The session was truly unforgettable and left a lasting impact on every attendee - mentioned Anadi Abhilash, Secretary, Indian Comics Association. The Comics History Section at the Bharat Pavilion, a special curation tracing the evolution of Indian comics from the classics to contemporary innovations, was visited by none other than the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He witnessed a century of Indian Comics, briefly met with ICA President Ajitesh Sharma, and added a monumental significance to the exhibit. A Resurgence Begins Other key ICA members -- Vasu Gupta (Marketing Head), Mithilesh Gupta (Content Head), and Mohammad Shahbaz (Event Head) -- were present on all days of the summit and contributed to the event's success. With Rs8 lakhs in prizes, national recognition, mentoring from industry greats, and a platform that bridges legacy and innovation, the WAVES Comics Creator Championship has set the stage for a powerful comeback of the Indian comics industry. As Ajitesh Sharma, President of ICA, stated: "This marks the beginning of a new golden age--an era defined by creativity, collaboration, and global visibility for Indian comics." The conclusion of this groundbreaking competition signals more than just the end of a contest--it marks the comeback of the Indian comics industry, poised to evolve, expand, and inspire a new generation of readers and creators alike.

Kareena Kapoor Skips Guns N' Roses Concert For Private Jam With Saif And Taimur
Kareena Kapoor Skips Guns N' Roses Concert For Private Jam With Saif And Taimur

News18

time19-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • News18

Kareena Kapoor Skips Guns N' Roses Concert For Private Jam With Saif And Taimur

Last Updated: The first snap captures Saif Ali Khan playing a guitar inside the studio. He rocks a black T-shirt and uber-cool sunglasses. Kareena Kapoor has no regrets that she missed the Guns N' Roses concert. The legendary rock band returned to India for the second time after 13 years. The group performed at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai on May 17. Although Kareena could not be a part of the musical night, she enjoyed a lovely private concert at home. Courtesy: Her 'own band people" — husband, actor Saif Ali Khan and their eldest son Taimur Ali Khan. On Monday, May 19, Kareena shared a couple of pictures on her Instagram Stories, offering fans a peek into the fun jamming session. The first snap captures Saif Ali Khan playing a guitar inside the studio. He rocks a black T-shirt and uber-cool sunglasses. Taimur, on the other hand, sits opposite his father. His face is not visible in the photo. The 8-year-old wears headphones and strums a guitar, presumably guided by Saif Ali Khan. Other musical equipment lay on the floor while the walls are decorated by framed photographs. Kareena Kapoor's side note read, 'Might have missed Guns N' Roses, but I got my own band people." Earlier this month, Kareena Kapoor attended the WAVES Summit 2025. During the candid interaction, the actress expressed her love for Bollywood. She said, 'I am very happy with my Indian movies. It is so much fun to dance to our Hindi songs and deliver Hindi dialogues." Later, Kareena Kapoor posted a set of gorgeous images from the event on Instagram. She was clad in a blue saree, adorned with multi-coloured floral prints. Diamond studs and flawless makeup sealed her look. Kareena Kapoor captioned the post, 'So honoured to be part of a panel discussion at the WAVES Summit, where India isn't just part of the global entertainment conversation, we're driving it. India is fast emerging as a superpower in the global entertainment industry and this is the beginning of a creative movement that will define the future." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan) Workwise, Kareena Kapoor has joined hands with director Meghna Gulzar for a new film titled Daayra. She will be sharing screen space with Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran. The movie marks their first collaboration. Kareena Kapoor was last seen in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again. First Published:

‘It's tasty': Instagram head Adam Mosseri tries masala chips, kaju katli; watch
‘It's tasty': Instagram head Adam Mosseri tries masala chips, kaju katli; watch

Indian Express

time19-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Indian Express

‘It's tasty': Instagram head Adam Mosseri tries masala chips, kaju katli; watch

From the poignant flavours of pani puris to the sweetness of gulab jamun, Indian snacks have gained significant popularity worldwide. Food enthusiasts are embracing these snacks, not just for their taste but also for the cultural experience. Instagram head Adam Mosseri too did so recently during his appearance on the podcast 'Moment of Silence' with content creators Naina Bhan and Sakshi Shivdasani. The episode took a delightful turn as Mosseri sampled a range of Indian snacks and sweets. The tasting kicked off with masala chips, where Mosseri – pleasantly surprised by the flavour – remarked, 'It's tasty! I thought it was going to be crazy spicy.' Next up was the beloved Indian sweet, kaaju katli. 'It's very tasty,' he said. As the video progresses, his enthusiasm peaks with laddoos, another traditional sweet, as he happily declares his love for them. Adding a personal touch, Mosseri shared a glimpse into his family life. 'My kids would steal a bunch, except for the middle one, as he doesn't like sweets,' he laughed. Watch the viral video here: A post shared by Moment of Silence (@momentofsilencepod) The video quickly gained traction, racking up numerous reactions. 'I think Adam could have done more spicy,' a user wrote. 'Either the snacks were mildly spicy or the CEO just kept his Thand Rakh,' another user commented. 'You guys did a GREAT job on this podcast – fun and professional,' a third user reacted. Mosseri also attended the WAVES Summit 2025 event in Mumbai, where he received a warm and heartfelt welcome from Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor. The two shared the stage for an interaction titled 'Trends and Virality', where they explored how Gen-Z engages with content online. During his time in Mumbai, Mosseri also visited the Meta India office and danced to 'What Jhumka!' from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. He also enjoyed a Puran Poli, a traditional Maharashtrian dish, with Kapoor.

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