Chennai: The two-day FICCI Media & Entertainment Business Conclave (MEBC) – South Connect 2025 was officially inaugurated today by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, alongside legendary actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan. The event, held in Chennai, marks a significant milestone as it brings together industry leaders, stakeholders, and visionaries to explore the future of India’s dynamic media and entertainment sector.
At the inaugural event, Kamal Haasan was also announced as the Chairman of FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee, South, reinforcing his leadership role in shaping the region’s creative landscape.
With regional industries playing an increasingly influential role in India’s global creative footprint, the conclave serves as a vital platform to discuss the future of films, television, OTT, gaming, animation, and digital entertainment. The discussions focus on innovation, collaboration, and strategies to propel growth within India’s burgeoning creative economy.
In his speech, Udhayanidhi Stalin emphasized the importance of regional industries in garnering global recognition. He shared his commitment to fulfilling the dream of Dr. Kalaignar (Dr. Karunanidhi) to make Tamil Nadu an entertainment epicenter. He unveiled plans for the creation of a state-of-the-art film city spanning 152 acres in Chennai, which will house advanced post-production studios, virtual production technologies, animation and VFX studios, LED walls, and even a 5-star hotel for industry professionals.
Shri Stalin also made a key announcement related to Dr. Karunanidhi’s vision for the film industry, saying, “In 2010, during Dr. Kalaignar’s tenure, 90 acres of land near Kelambakkam were allocated for a 99-year lease to film industry organizations for building residential complexes. The construction was to be completed within three years, but the beneficiaries couldn’t finish it, rendering the order invalid. In response to a request from the associations, our Chief Minister decided to revise the order, allowing the land to be used for the intended construction. The revised order was issued recently.”
Kamal Haasan’s Vision for Indian Cinema
Speaking at the event, Kamal Haasan shared his perspective on the evolving media landscape, advocating for a long-term vision for Indian cinema. “Indian cinema can become a true ambassador for Indian culture. We need a long-term vision for Indian cinema, for which the government, both state and central, will have to come up with regulations to not contain emerging technologies, but include them without impeding the existing market,” Haasan said.
He further added, “Also, a request since the Deputy CM is here that we need to relook and reform the state entertainment tax on cinema.”
Kevin Vaz, Chairman of the FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee and CEO of JioStar Entertainment, emphasized the evolution of the South’s media landscape, noting, “The South’s media landscape has evolved from regional to national and now global, exemplified by icons like Mr. Kamal Haasan, whose films have broken boundaries for decades. The post-pandemic revival of the box office, driven by films like RRR and KGF-2, and Tamil cinema’s storytelling continue to shape India’s entertainment sector.”
He further noted, “As digital media grows rapidly, I believe India is an ‘AND’ market, where both TV and digital coexist, unlocking immense potential. With upcoming forums like WAVES and continued innovation, India’s media industry is poised to take the global stage.”
The two-day conclave will host a variety of knowledge sessions, masterclasses, workshops, and content markets, exploring critical aspects of India’s media and entertainment landscape. Key topics will include the global influence of Indian cinema, the transformation of television and OTT, innovations in broadcasting and music consumption, and India’s rise as a powerhouse in gaming, animation, and VFX. A special segment, PlayNext – Developer’s Day, will focus on gaming, esports, and interactive entertainment, positioning India as a leader in the AVGC-XR ecosystem.
Discussions will also delve into Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in M&E, addressing regulatory frameworks and policies that foster a growth-driven industry ecosystem.
Dignitaries and Industry Leaders in Attendance
The event was graced by distinguished leaders, including Sandhya Devanathan, Co-Chair of the FICCI M&E Committee & VP, Country Head – India, Meta; Arjun Nohwar, Co-Chair of the FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee and SVP & Country GM – India & South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery; and Dr. G.S.K. Velu, Chairman of the FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council. Other eminent industry figures like Ashish Pherwani, Ravi Kottarakara, Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, Sanjay A. Wadhwa, Ankur Vaish, Shweta Bajpai, Mahesh Shetty, Krishnan Kutty, Ravikant Sabnavis, Munjal Shroff, Vaibhav Chavan, Jakes Bejoy, Bejoy Arputharaj, Ashish Kulkarni, among others, were also present to discuss the future of India’s creative economy.
