Mumbai, Jul 21 (PTI) Maharashtra aims to become a hub of the global “creator economy” by developing a skilled and technically sound workforce through strategic collaborations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.
He was speaking at an event where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation (MFSCDC) and the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
The MoU, facilitated by the state’s cultural affairs department, aims to provide quality training and certification in creative and technical skills related to film, television and digital content creation.
“This is not just a partnership but the beginning of a movement. Maharashtra will soon emerge as the epicentre of the creator economy, not only for India but for the world,” Fadnavis said.
He said with the rapid monetisation of creative content by individuals using digital platforms, the need for certified training is more critical than ever.
The CM cited the fast-growing creator economy, which expanded from Rs 92,000 crore to Rs 1 lakh crore in just 100 days.
“Today, even a common person can be a creator. But despite having talent, many lack certification, which limits their professional opportunities. This collaboration will bridge that gap,” Fadnavis said.
Welcoming the MoU, cultural affairs minister Ashish Shelar said it would decentralise FTII’s reach, allowing students from rural and semi-urban Maharashtra to access training at the state level.
He said four centres, at Goregaon in Mumbai, Kolhapur, Prabhadevi, and Karjat, will serve as hubs, promoting local talent and opening new employment opportunities within the entertainment sector.
FTII chairperson and actor R Madhavan highlighted the emergence of talented creators from smaller towns and said India’s cultural narratives deserve global attention.
“While Western cinema has its superheroes like Superman and Batman, it is time the world recognised Hanuman and Krishna. India’s soft power lies in its storytelling,” Madhavan asserted.
The MoU was formally exchanged between Swati Mhase-Patil, Managing Director of Film City, and Dheeraj Singh, Registrar of FTII, in the presence of senior officials from the cultural affairs department.
The MFSCDC is an undertaking of the Maharashtra government and is associated with a wide gamut of initiatives in the sector, including helming the renowned Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon, popularly known as Film City.
The FTII is a institute under the Union ministry of information and broadcasting. PTI MR BNM
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