Guwahati: India is a potential hub for the media and entertainment sectors and is an emerging sector across the country as it aims to touch Rs 4 lakh crores by 2025. Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, has stated that the country's rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, as well as ongoing advancements in the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) sector, have the potential to make India the preferred post-production hub of the media and entertainment industry.

According to the Minister, the media and entertainment ecosystem is a burgeoning industry that will generate Rs 4 lakh crores annually by 2025 and reach $100 billion, or Rs 7.5 lakh crores, by 2030. He went on to say that the government of India has designated audio-visual services as one of the 12 Champion Service Sectors and has announced key policy measures to foster long-term growth.

The Minister says that the radio, film, and entertainment industries have a lot of job opportunities as we move into the digital era of quality content creation. "Many job roles in the field have emerged, including video editing, colour grading, visual effects (VFX), sound design, rotoscoping, 3D modelling, and so on. "Each job role in this sector necessitates a unique set of skills and competencies."

Thakur added that the government is also looking into new partnerships with the private sector to ensure that Indian students are up to date on the latest technological trends.

Thakur further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's enthusiasm for technology has provided an oasis of opportunities to give wings to the ambitions of young people.

Also, several of the talents have been creatively contributing to the media and entertainment sector, and some have established successful start-ups.

While addressing the National Conference on the 'Changing Landscape of Media & Entertainment 2022' organised by Symbiosis Skill & Professional University in Pune, Thakur said that "a solid digital foundation for the AVGC sector is emerging across the country, and the government has established a Task Force for the AVGC sector in order to develop world-class creative talent to meet domestic and global demand."

Thakur further added that even during the Covid pandemic, India added as many as 50 Unicorn start-ups, demonstrating the country's entrepreneurial spirit. The Minister expressed his desire to see more start-ups emerge from the talent pool produced by leading film schools such as FTII and SRFTI.

Shri Thakur stated that the content creation industry in India has seen a massive boost as a result of 'Digital India,' adding that "with quality content, easy access, and an eager audience, India is ready to narrate its own success story and become a content creation hub." The Minister went on to say that the efforts of technical people working behind the scenes should be adequately recognised and rewarded, moving beyond our current emphasis on lead characters.

Resul Pookutty, the Oscar and BAFTA Award-winning sound designer, was the National Conference's Guest of Honor. He believes that educational institutions should revive the ancient Indian tradition of imparting wisdom to students in order for them to face the outside world, in addition to developing skill sets.

The main topics of the National Conference included emerging fields of opportunities in animation, VFX, gaming, and comics, opportunities in OTT, TV, and film production, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Immersive media skills, and so on. Dr. S B Majumdar, Chancellor of Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pro-Chancellor Dr. Swati Majumdar, and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gauri Shiurkar were among those in attendance.