FICCI Frames 2025 Sparks Innovation in Media and Entertainment

The 25th edition of FICCI Frames, India’s premier Media and Entertainment (M&E) event, commenced on March 15, 2025, at The Fairmont hotel near Sahar air terminal in Mumbai. This year, the event attracted over 3,000 participants from various sectors, including film, television, digital media, and the creative arts. Under the theme “RISE Together – Reimagine, Innovate, Strengthen, Empower,” the conference aims to foster collaboration and growth in the industry.

On the opening day, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis engaged in a significant discussion with Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar. They explored the crucial role Maharashtra plays in shaping India’s film and entertainment landscape. Fadnavis outlined the state government’s commitment to enhance the creative sector, emphasizing support initiatives for industry growth.

Union Minister of State L. Murugan and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, also addressed attendees. They highlighted the government’s dedication to nurturing India’s creative economy through new technologies and policies aimed at supporting creators and businesses within the media and entertainment realms.

One of the event’s notable highlights was the partnership between FICCI’s Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICT) and Netflix. The two organizations signed a memorandum to bolster India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector. This collaboration is designed to equip students and professionals with essential skills and foster the creation of high-quality content through advanced technologies.

Industry Insights and Future Directions

Additional sessions featured prominent industry figures such as Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), who discussed the broadcasting sector’s rapid expansion. Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President and Head – India and South East Asia at Meta, offered insights into the evolving digital landscape. These discussions underscored how artificial intelligence is transforming content creation, reflecting the industry’s readiness to embrace technological advancements.

FICCI Frames 2025 serves as a pivotal platform for shaping the future of India’s media and entertainment sector. The event marks a significant milestone, showcasing India’s increasing strength and innovation in the global media landscape.

The convention’s silver jubilee edition pays tribute to 25 years of vision and creativity that have redefined India’s creative economy. The inaugural session featured distinguished personalities, including Advocate Ashish Shelar, Minister of Cultural Affairs for Maharashtra, and Kevin Vaz, Chairman of the FICCI M&E Committee, who reiterated the sector’s substantial contribution to the regional GDP, exceeding ₹2 lakh crore.

Jaju remarked, “The industry creates more than 8 million jobs directly and many more indirectly. When FICCI Frames started 25 years ago, the demand was for this sector to be recognized as an industry. Today, it is not just an industry but an entire ecosystem of dreams, bringing together art, technology, and aspirations.”

The event’s ambassador, actor Ayushmann Khurrana, added a creative perspective to the discussions, reflecting on India’s evolving cultural narrative and its growing resonance on the global stage.

During a fireside chat, Fadnavis acknowledged that the Film City project had remained unexecuted during his previous tenure from 2014 to 2019. He assured Kumar that plans were in place to transform Film City into a world-class film ecosystem. Fadnavis committed to initiating the transformation within a year, incorporating state-of-the-art studios equipped for emerging technologies such as virtual production and advanced visual effects.

The Film City redevelopment will feature the Indian Institute of Creative Technology, a unique institution owned 52 percent by industry bodies, including FICCI, and the remainder held by the governments of Maharashtra and India.

Advocate Shelar reiterated the government’s commitment to rolling out a comprehensive film policy and developing new film cities across Maharashtra to meet the sector’s growing demand.

Day 1 also included keynote sessions and panel discussions with notable figures such as Director Shoojit Sirkar, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, and Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO of Roy Kapur Films.

Looking ahead, Day 2 promises more engaging sessions, including a conversation between television producer Ekta Kapoor and politician Smriti Irani on the legacy of “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi,” alongside fireside chats and panels featuring prominent actors like Anil Kapoor and Huma Qureshi.

As FICCI Frames 2025 unfolds, it signifies a crucial moment for India’s media and entertainment industry, setting the stage for future innovations and collaborations on the global front.