CII holds Purbo Bharat Big Picture Summit 2025 in #Kolkata to unlock the media & entertainment potential of Eastern and North-Eastern India.
In his address at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Purbo Bharat Big Picture Summit in Kolkata today, Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, underscored the Indian government's commitment to human capital development. He emphasised the importance of India's rich cultural heritage and called for initiatives aimed at promoting it on the global stage. He spoke about the contributions of iconic film figures from West Bengal, including Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Ritwik Ghatak, and underscored the immense potential East and North-East India holds for the growth of the creative economy sector in the country.
"Creativity has always been central to India’s identity. From the sculptors of Konark and Mahabalipuram to the weavers of Varanasi and Shantiniketan, creativity has defined India’s ethos. Through the ages, Indian art, literature, cinema, and music have found resonance across the world," Dr. Bose said.
The CII Purbo Bharat Big Picture Summit, themed 'Culturally Rooted, Creatively Global', brings together the brightest minds in cinema, television, streaming, and digital media to chart the next phase of the creative economy in East and North-East India. This summit will serve as a catalyst for the Media and Entertainment industry's growth, foster cross-sector collaboration, and promote innovative strategies designed to reshape the region’s creative landscape.
The Summit also celebrates 100 years of cinematic brilliance of five legendary pioneers whose work shaped the landscape of Indian cinema—Ritwik Ghatak, Salil Chowdhury, Tapan Sinha, Guru Dutt, and Raj Kapoor. CII paid a momentous tribute to honor their lasting legacy in Indian and global cinema with commemorative mementos given to their family members.
A key highlight of the Summit was the launch of the CII Media & Entertainment Sector Report 2025, titled "A New Vision for the Creative Economy." The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges present in the creative economy, focussing on the effects of digital transformation, the necessity for robust infrastructure, and critical policy interventions required to promote growth in the cinema, music, performing arts, and digital content sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shashwat Goenka, Vice-Chair of RPSG Group and Chair of the CII Purbo Bharat Big Picture Summit 2025, highlighted the sector's recent growth of 10-12 per cent CAGR, asserting that the creative economy is a crucial pillar of economic growth, facilitating employment generation and attracting investment. He emphasised that cultivating a vibrant startup ecosystem within the creative economy is essential at this time.
"The future belongs to our young visionaries—the entrepreneurs and startups who will redefine creativity and innovation. Let us support and uplift these changemakers, ensuring they have the mentorship, funding, and platforms needed to succeed. By fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, we pave the way for groundbreaking ideas and transformative growth," Mr Goenka said.
Goutam Ghose, filmmaker and Co-Chair of the CII Purbo Bharat Big Picture Summit 2025, stated that measuring the creative economy is highly challenging and emphasised the importance of nurturing the cultural ecology in the region.
Mr Gaurav Banerjee, MD and CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, and Co-Chair of the Summit, highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative economy sector. He emphasised the extensive opportunities presented by AI, arguing that the power of creators should not be exploited and, if needed, must be protected.
At the Summit, Mr Prosenjit Chatterjee, Actor and Producer, addressed various challenges facing the regional film industry. He discussed the responsibilities associated with star power and emphasised the necessity of restructuring the industry's value chain. He remarked that, given the plethora of entertainment options available to audiences today, the film industry must prioritise content to remain relevant.
The media and entertainment sector has emerged as a significant contributor to India's growth, not only because of its soft power but also for its potential contributions to the job creation and cultural landscape. The Summit emphasised that dubbing regional films into multiple languages can be a vital strategy for broadening market reach and enhancing audience engagement. It also pointed out that the absence of a single theatre in the state has been a significant infrastructure issue.
