How PM Modi’s ‘Orange Economy’ Vision Could Redefine Global Creative Industries

At WAVES 2025 in Mumbai, PM Narendra Modi proposed India’s ‘Orange Economy’ to global creators, linking content, culture, and creativity to economic growth and global storytelling leadership.

1. What Happened at WAVES 2025 in Mumbai?
On May 1, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025 at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, launching the concept of the “Orange Economy.” Emphasizing content, creativity, and culture, he forecasted these sectors as pivotal for India’s GDP. India’s creative economy is expected to grow at 10% annually, aligning with global demand for culturally rich storytelling. Backed by verified government sources and event transcripts, this marks a strategic policy direction toward soft power diplomacy and economic expansion through creative capital.

2. Why Is India Positioned for Global Creative Leadership?
Modi underlined India’s growing global presence in entertainment. Indian OTT platforms have increased their audience base by 10x in recent years. Indian cinema now reaches over 100 countries, with exports up by 22% since 2020. These facts, sourced from FICCI-EY media reports and industry data, highlight India’s storytelling influence. With digitization and multilingual production capabilities, India is emerging as a global content exporter, offering stories deeply rooted in history and emotion but appealing across borders.

3. Who Are the Beneficiaries of the ‘Orange Economy’?
Content creators, musicians, animators, and filmmakers are key players in the Orange Economy. Modi emphasized tapping into India’s “timeless stories” to create global narratives. The global creative sector is valued at $2.25 trillion, with India’s share projected to grow by 12% annually. This call for content localization with global reach is based on verified UNESCO and NITI Aayog reports. It positions India as a fertile ground for both grassroots and global digital creators.

4. What Is India Offering to Global Investors and Creators?
PM Modi invited global creators to “make India their content playground.” India’s OTT market alone grew from $0.5 billion in 2018 to $5 billion in 2024. With 800+ million internet users and increasing smartphone penetration, the creative landscape offers unmatched scale. These statistics are confirmed by TRAI and KPMG data. Modi’s message highlights India’s infrastructure readiness, talent pool, and storytelling depth, making it a compelling hub for transnational creative investment.

5. Quick Fact Box: India’s Creative Economy Highlights (2025)

6. What Government Support Is Promised to Creators?
Modi reassured creators of full government backing. He pointed to the $430 billion animation market, set to double by 2035, where India has a competitive edge due to cost-effective talent. The government is also nurturing the live concert industry, with India hosting 200+ large-scale music events in 2024 alone. These numbers, cited from MESC and industry trackers, show real infrastructure growth. The PM’s statement reflects policy intent to institutionalize creative industries as formal economic contributors.

7. What Were PM Modi’s Key Messages?
Modi said, “Screens are becoming micro, but messages are becoming macro,” highlighting how mobile devices amplify global storytelling. He stressed emotional sensitivity and human connection through music, dance, and art. His statement, verified from the official press release and full transcript, resonates with India’s soft power strategy. He warned against robotic lifestyles, advocating for cultural immersion. This blend of economy and empathy sets a visionary tone for India’s future in global creative leadership.

LIVE: PM Narendra Modi at Jio World Convention Centre | WAVES 2025 https://t.co/zEVFWL6CZY

— WAVES India (@WAVESummitIndia) May 1, 2025

What Makes This Story a Must-Read
PM Modi’s vision of an ‘Orange Economy’ redefines India’s role in global storytelling, creative trade, and cultural diplomacy—highlighting a bold step toward economic growth powered by imagination.

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