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.

The three-day summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra 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. 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% of GDP, estimated at over $30 billion, and supports approximately 8% 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:

• Indian films screened internationally have more than doubled since 2021.
• 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.

Government Backing and Institutional Support

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.

Soft Power and Consumer Influence

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’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.

Outlook: A Turning Point for India’s Orange Economy

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.