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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
15 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Three people killed in crush in India during religious festival
agencies New Delhi Three people have died in a stampede during a religious festival in eastern India. Numerous visitors to the Rath Yatra chariot festival in the city of Puri were also injured, broadcaster NDTV and other Indian media, citing authorities, reported on Sunday. Thousands of people gathered in the city for the annual Hindu festival. The incident occurred near the Shree Gundicha Temple, which was the destination of a chariot procession approximately 3 kilometres long, according to NDTV. In the growing crowd, many people fell to the ground. Local media reported that the police's arrangement for crowd control at the spot was inadequate. The condition of some of those injured is critical, according to reports. The chief minister of the affected state of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, apologized to worshippers on the platform X. He described 'inexcusable negligence' in safety arrangements. Accidents frequently occur during large religious festivals in India. During Rath Yatra, three grand chariots with the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Shubhadra are drawn by a massive crowd of devotees. The holy chariots are taken to the Gundicha Temple. The three deities spend a week there before returning to the Jagannath Temple. Expressing his condolences, former Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik said the stampede exposes the state government's 'glaring incompetence in ensuring a peaceful festival'. Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister and BJP's key leader in Odisha, said he has spoken to Chief Minister Manjhi about the stampede. 'He has taken responsibility for the incident. He has assured to take the required actions in this matter,' he said. In January, at least 30 people died in a stampede during the world's largest pilgrimage festival, the Maha Kumbh Mela, in the northern Indian city of Prayagraj.
Qatar Tribune
15 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Special consular camp at Al Khor enhances outreach to Indian community
Tribune News Network Doha In a significant step towards strengthening outreach and accessibility for the Indian expatriate community in Qatar, the Embassy of India in Doha, in association with the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), successfully organised a special consular camp in Al Khor on Friday, June 20. The camp marked a crucial initiative aimed at serving the consular needs of Indian nationals residing in and around the Al Khor region. The consular camp witnessed an overwhelming response, with nearly 200 consular services being delivered on the spot. These services included passport renewals, attestation of documents, registration, and other essential consular requirements that would otherwise require travel to Doha. The camp was especially beneficial for those community members who face challenges commuting long distances due to work schedules or limited transport options. This outreach effort, part of the larger vision of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, underlines the commitment of the Indian Mission in Qatar to ensure the welfare and convenience of all Indian nationals, regardless of their geographical location. It was also a testimony to the strong collaborative efforts between the Embassy and ICBF, an organisation consistently dedicated to supporting the needs of the Indian community in Qatar. The camp was efficiently managed and well-coordinated by Embassy officials, ICBF volunteers, and community leaders from Al Khor. Their teamwork ensured smooth operations throughout the day—from handling registrations to guiding individuals and processing consular requests with professionalism and empathy. A heartfelt note of gratitude goes out to all who contributed to the success of this initiative—the dedicated consular staff, the tireless ICBF team, and the local volunteers whose efforts ensured a seamless experience for all attendees. The Embassy also expressed appreciation to the Indian community in Al Khor for their enthusiastic participation and cooperation. Events such as this reflect the proactive and people-centric approach of the Embassy of India and its partner organisations in Qatar. They reinforce the values of service, inclusiveness, and unity that define the Indian diaspora abroad. This successful consular camp serves as a model for future outreach programs aimed at bringing essential services closer to community members across various regions in Qatar.
Qatar Tribune
15 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
‘Ganga Sanskritik Sandhya' unites UP expat community in Qatar
Tribune News Network Doha The vibrant Indian expatriate community hailing from Uttar Pradesh (North India) came together in a magnificent celebration of their cultural heritage during the inaugural edition of 'Ganga Sanskritik Sandhya', heldlast Friday. Organised by the newly-formed Amrit Uttar Pradesh Navrang Sanskritik Mandal, Qatar, the event marked a major milestone for the North Indian diaspora in the country, offering a vibrant platform to showcase their cultural roots and community spirit. The evening saw the enthusiastic participation of around 200 families and individuals residing in Qatar, who united under the shared banner of tradition, identity, and pride in their cultural legacy. The gathering radiated warmth and camaraderie, as people of all ages came together to relive and celebrate the traditions of their home state. The event was graced by Harish Pandey, First Secretary (Education & Culture) at the Embassy of India in Qatar, who attended as the chief guest. In his keynote address, Pandey commended the Uttar Pradesh community's efforts in preserving and promoting their rich and diverse cultural heritage abroad. He emphasised the vital role such inclusive cultural initiatives play in nurturing a deeper sense of belonging among diaspora communities and in promoting India's cultural values on the global stage. Adding further prestige to the occasion was the presence of several distinguished guests from the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Qatar. These included Manikantan AP, president of ICC; PN Baburajan, chairman of the ICC advisory council and Managing Director of Skills Development Centre, Qatar; Abraham K Joseph, general secretary of ICC; and Nandini Abbagouni, head of cultural activities at ICC. They praised the efforts of the organisers and reiterated ICC's commitment to supporting community-led initiatives that celebrate India's cultural diversity. Also present to extend their goodwill were Satyendra Pathak, president of Bihar Social Forum, and Irfan Ansari, founder and former President of the Bihar Social Forum. Both shared words of encouragement and congratulated the organisers on the success of their maiden cultural event. The evening featured a vibrant cultural programme, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary performances. From melodious musical renditions using traditional instruments to energetic folk and fusion dance performances, the stage came alive with the diverse artistic expressions of Uttar Pradesh. Children and adults alike captivated the audience with their talent and passion, reinforcing a deep sense of cultural pride and identity. In a statement shared by the founder members of the Amrit Uttar Pradesh Navrang Sanskritik Mandal, Nita Mishra and Ashutosh Mishra, the importance of creating a platform for cultural expression, social bonding, and community development among the diaspora was underlined. They expressed their gratitude to all participants and supporters, noting that this event was only the beginning of a broader cultural movement within the community. The success of the event was a result of the dedicated efforts of the organising team, which included Ajay Rai, Sweta Rai, Abhishek Srivastava, Arun Verma, Nikhil Srivastava, Vinod Mishra, and Shivendra Singh. The team extended their heartfelt thanks to the Indian Cultural Centre and the Embassy of India for their unwavering support and encouragement, which played a vital role in making the inaugural event a resounding success.
