Mumbai : Marking a remarkable milestone, the 25th edition of FICCI FRAMES opened in Mumbai with a powerful address by Kevin Vaz, Chairman of the FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee and CEO of Viacom18, who set the tone for two days of dialogue, discovery, and direction for India’s media and entertainment sector.
Delivering his inaugural speech, Vaz began by welcoming Adv. Shri Ashish Shelar, Hon’ble Minister of Cultural Affairs and Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra; Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; Mr. Anant Goenka, Senior Vice President, FICCI; national award-winning actor Ayushmann Khurrana; and Shri Ashish Kulkarni, Chief Mentor, FICCI FRAMES & Frame Your Idea, among other dignitaries, industry leaders, and delegates from across India and abroad.
Reflecting on the 25-year journey of FRAMES, Vaz described it as “a quarter-century of dialogue, discovery and doing.” He paid tribute to the visionaries who helped shape FICCI FRAMES into a global knowledge exchange — citing stalwarts like Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, and Uday Shankar, whose leadership and advocacy made the platform an integral part of India’s M&E growth story.
“When FICCI FRAMES began in 2001, India’s M&E sector was formally granted industry status — a defining moment that opened the doors to institutional finance, risk-taking, and innovation in content and technology,” he noted. “That moment showed us what advocacy, grounded in shared purpose, can do.”
‘RISE Together’: Reimagine. Innovate. Strengthen. Empower.
The silver jubilee theme, ‘RISE Together’, resonated throughout Vaz’s speech — a rallying call to the industry to reimagine possibilities, innovate with purpose, strengthen collaboration, and empower creativity across formats and geographies.
He outlined key transformations shaping India’s M&E landscape:
TV & Digital: A Coexistence Model
“Unlike the West, India continues to be a strong ‘AND’ market,” Vaz observed.
“Television and digital are thriving together — each adding distinct value to audiences and advertisers. The ecosystem of PayTV, FreeTV and Connected TV continues to expand, even as digital scales new heights.”
Sports & Live Broadcasting: Beyond Cricket
With sports consumption at an all-time high, Vaz spotlighted the rise of football, kabaddi, and esports, along with immersive innovations in digital fan engagement. He urged policy reform to ease live broadcasting operations from India, noting that this would accelerate growth in the sports economy.
Regional Films: Global Storytellers
India’s regional cinema, particularly from the South, has emerged as a global cultural force. “From RRR to The Elephant Whisperers, Indian stories are winning Oscars and global acclaim,” Vaz said, highlighting the importance of co-productions, NFDC initiatives, and cultural diplomacy in expanding the reach of Indian content.
AVGC & Gaming: Tech-led Storytelling
Celebrating India’s strides in animation, VFX, gaming, and XR, Vaz underscored the shift from service-based work to original IP creation. With over 500 million gamers and esports gaining government recognition, he noted that “India is fast becoming a trusted global hub for creative tech and production services.”
A Call for Light-Touch Regulation and Collaborative Growth
While celebrating the industry’s achievements, Vaz also struck a note of urgency — emphasizing the need for a supportive policy ecosystem.
“The regulatory burden on linear broadcasting has created artificial price barriers,” he cautioned. “If we are to realize our ambitious growth, we must move towards a light-touch regulatory regime built on self-regulation and global best practices.”
He reiterated that broadcasting, which contributes nearly 40% to India’s M&E industry, remains central to achieving the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of making India the ‘content hub of the world’.
A Golden Era for Indian M&E
Vaz described the current decade as a “golden era for Indian media and entertainment”, powered by technology, creativity, and a global audience base. “The tools are more powerful, the reach broader, audiences more diverse, creativity more irrepressible,” he said. “The challenge is to ensure quality matches ambition — that creators are empowered and India doesn’t just follow global trends, but sets them.”
Before concluding, Vaz extended heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Leena Jaisani, Deputy Secretary General, FICCI, for her 25 years of dedicated service, and his co-chairs Ms. Sandhya Devanathan and Mr. Arjun Nohwar, for their pivotal roles in shaping FRAMES 2025.
Looking Ahead: FRAMES and the Future
As FICCI FRAMES celebrates 25 years, Vaz’s message was clear — the industry stands at a defining crossroads where creativity, policy, and technology must move in unison.
“With collaboration between business and government, innovation at every level, and storytelling at the core, India can truly RISE — not just for the next 25 years, but for generations to come.”
