The 25th edition of FICCI Frames, India’s biggest Media & Entertainment (M&E) event, kicked off on Tuesday at The Fairmont near Sahar airport, and it did not disappoint. The opening day was packed with star power, industry leaders, and groundbreaking announcements that promise to reshape India’s entertainment landscape.
The spotlight moment of the day was a conversation between Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar. They discussed how Maharashtra continues to be the heartbeat of India’s film and entertainment industry. CM Fadnavis also shared ambitious plans to support and grow the creative sector across the state.
Other government dignitaries, including Union Minister of State L. Murugan and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, spoke about the government’s commitment to India’s creative economy. They emphasized the role of new technologies and policies in helping creators and media businesses thrive.
One of the most exciting announcements was a new partnership between FICCI’s Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICT) and Netflix. The collaboration will focus on boosting India’s AVGC sector—animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, and extended reality—helping students and professionals gain skills and produce world-class content using cutting-edge technology.
Big Industry Names and Powerful Talks
The event brought together over 3,000 professionals from films, TV, digital, and creative industries. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti spoke about the booming broadcasting sector, while Sandhya Devanathan from Meta shared insights on the rise of digital platforms. Several sessions explored how AI is revolutionizing media and content creation, highlighting how the industry is embracing innovation.
This year’s theme, “RISE Together – Reimagine, Innovate, Strengthen, Empower,” perfectly captures the mood of the silver jubilee edition. The convention also celebrates 25 years of Indian M&E, paying tribute to creativity, imagination, and the power of an industry that has grown into a global force.
The inaugural session featured key names like Advocate Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Anant Goenka, Senior VP of FICCI, and Kevin Vaz, Chairman of FICCI M&E Committee and CEO of JioStar Entertainment. They discussed how the industry now generates over 8 million jobs directly and countless more indirectly. As Sanjay Jaju put it, “What started as a sector seeking recognition is now an entire ecosystem of dreams—blending art, technology, and aspirations.”
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, this year’s FRAMES Ambassador, reflected on how India’s cultural narrative has evolved and made a mark globally.
Film City Gets a World-Class Makeover
During the fireside chat, CM Fadnavis acknowledged that the Film City project, planned during his previous tenure (2014–2019), had remained incomplete. He promised Akshay Kumar that the transformation will begin within a year. The new Film City will feature state-of-the-art studios equipped for virtual production, AI, and advanced visual effects.
The site already hosts the Indian Institute of Creative Technology, owned 52% by industry bodies like FICCI and the rest by the state and central governments. Adv. Ashish Shelar highlighted that Maharashtra’s media and entertainment sector contributes over ₹2 lakh crore to the regional GDP, and the government is rolling out a comprehensive film policy along with new film cities to meet growing demand.
Star-Studded Panels and Keynotes
Day 1 also featured sessions with Director Shoojit Sirkar, Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Kevin Vaz, and Arun Srinivas (Meta India). They discussed industry trends, creative opportunities, and the future of media in India.
Day 2 promises even more excitement, including a conversation between Ekta Kapoor and Smriti Irani celebrating 25 years of KSBKBT, plus panels and fireside chats with stars like Anil Kapoor and Huma Qureshi.
With its mix of star power, industry insight, and technology-focused initiatives, FICCI Frames 2025 is shaping up to be a defining moment for India’s media and entertainment sector.