Event Coverage
Globalise Indian content: Murthy
MUMBAI: Calling the entertainment fraternity the most powerful group in the country, the chairman and chief mentor Infosys Technologies NR Narayana Murthy closed the three-day entertainment convention by throwing light on how to globalise Indian entertainment.
The first prerequisite that Murthy pointed out was the adoption of a global mindset. Drawing parallels between the IT and the entertainment industry, he said the way ahead was to capitalise on the power of globalisation. The second aspect being high aspiration levels. Murthy said this was the very ingredient that helped the IT industry to mark a niche for itself on the global agenda.
“For India to grow, it is paramount that it moves from an agriculture-driven economy to a services and manufacturing one. I believe that we have to focus on the global market. And this is perfectly possible if one takes on global themes,” he said. Pointing out India’s advantage, Murthy said adventure and history were two themes that were all encompassing. “Why can’t we make a film on John F Kennedy or Ronald Reagan?”
Murthy also pointed out that social drama in Mexico and India are very similar. He therefore proposed that if TV dramas and films could be produced with a conglomerate of international artists then that would not only be a beginning of the internationalisation of content but also a very successful strategy.
He emphasised the fact that films need to propound international values and need to have the scalability to do so. Murthy said this would only be possible if corporatisation of the entertainment industry takes place.
Another point made was the need to raise the quality of human resources. The common challenge in the knowledge market was said to be that of retaining the best within the industry.
Murthy also talked about the lack of film training institutes in the country. He said the need of the hour was to set up a lot for FTII’s in the country as well as a constant upgradation for professionals who move up the hierarchy.
Project management was also a concept that Murthy stated was essential for the growth of the business. “Project management needs to be incorporated into the showbiz sector,” he said.
Interesting food for thought was the reference made by Murthy on movies like ‘Gandhi’ and ‘The Story of Islam’, where he pointed out that though both subjects were very Indian in nature, they were both made by westerners.
Going ahead, he stated that once corporatisation takes place, investments would need to come in and for that investors would be required. This was where Murthy brought in the concept of corporate governance and the call for a transparent and integral process.
Stating the two philosophies of Infosys Murthy says, “When in doubt, disclose and the softest pillow is a clear conscience.”
Murthy concluded FRAMES 2005 with a sincere request to the fraternity at large asking for a reduction of violence and rape acts witnessed today on TV and films. “Make wholesome entertainment at a global level and I am sure that the Indian entertainment industry will soon be a $ 500 billion industry.”
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
