Maharashtra aims to become a hub of the global “creator economy” by developing a skilled and technically sound workforce through strategic collaborations, the State’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said yesterday.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai on the occasion of signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation (MFSCDC) and the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Fadnavis termed the collaboration as the “beginning of a new era”.

“Maharashtra is poised to become a national and global hub for the creators’ economy. With the rapid monetization of creative spaces, even individuals from remote areas are emerging as content creators,” the Chief Minister added.

According to an official statement put out by the government yesterday, Fadnavis highlighted the fast paced growth of the Orange Economy and said that the NSE WAVES Index, which was launched during the inaugural WAVES 2025 in May, has grown from Rs. 92,000 crore to Rs.1 lakh crore in a short duration.

This, he pointed out, underscores the need for technically skilled and certified professionals, noting that many talented individuals lack access to professional opportunities due to the absence of recognized credentials. The MoU will address such gaps, he stressed.

An Orange Economy is how generally the creative economy is described as. Used first by economists in 2013 in a book, it refers to economic activities that leverage creativity, culture and intellectual property to generate wealth and jobs. It encompasses industries like media, entertainment, design, music, films, publishing, animation, gaming and the arts.

The MoU, facilitated by Maharashtra’s Cultural Affairs Department, aims to provide quality training and certification in creative and technical skills related to film, television and digital content creation.

At the signing ceremony those present, apart from Fadnavis, included Maharashtra’s Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT Ashish Shelar; FTII Chairman and actor R. Madhavan; State Cultural Affairs Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge and other senior officials from FTII, MFSCDCL and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Madhavan, while reflecting on the transformative potential of the initiative, said, “Talented individuals from small towns are creating history. From local storytelling to global narratives, India’s creative voices are ready to shape the future.”

This initiative aligns with the Indian Government’s broader vision to empower the creative sector, enhance employment and position India as a global leader in content creation and cultural innovation.