Event Coverage
Maharashtra govt proposes tax exemption for AVGC sector in state
MUMBAI: The Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) sector in Maharashtra is in for some treat. The sector, which so far has gone unnoticed in the state, has finally got itself a space in the fourth IT Policy, which will be sent to the Cabinet soon.
“I agree that the state has so far not focussed on the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector,” said Government of Maharashtra principal secretary-industries Apurva Chandra at FICCI Frames 2015.
According to Chandra, AVGC is a part of the IT sector and hence has been included as a sub-section in the soon to be submitted IT Policy. “The perception is that the state is not friendly to the sector and we aim at shedding that with this policy,” said Chandra.
Chandra agreed that the AVGC sector, which was once strong in Maharashtra has been overtaken by Bangalore, where the government is taking several initiatives. “We would like to bring more AVGC centres into the state,” he added.
Maharashtra has the right ecosystem, the creative people and robust IT set up, which can give a boost to the AVGC sector.
One of the major points, which have been covered in the proposed policy is that of entertainment tax. The policy provides doing away with three kinds of taxes:
· Entertainment tax exemption for movies 100 per cent made in Maharashtra.
· Giving 100 per cent exemption from entertainment tax to animated movies, which have been converted from 2D to 3D in the state.
· 100 per cent tax exemption to live action movies, which minus the opening credits and end credits, has 50 per cent visual effects during the running time of the movie.
The AVGC policy also contains the provision for AVGC parks. “As part of this, all the incentives given to IT Parks will be made available to AVGC Parks. One such is the integrated IT Township, which will also become an integrated AVGC Township. Under this any land, whether it is private or public, above 10 hectare can be cleared as IT or AVGC Township. In this township, 60 per cent of the land will be for industrial moves like setting up studios and 40 per cent will be open to all. Above all a higher FSI (floor space index) would also be given. This can bring a lot of discipline not only in IT but the AVGC sector as well,” informed Chandra.
AVGC centres will also be promoted in cities of Maharashtra through several incentives. “We will be providing financial support and are proposing a corpus fund of Rs 50 crore through the state government. In terms of clearance also, the state government is ready to support,” he added.
The policy also proposes a certification charge refund from the agencies. “Capital subsidy for larger AVGC centres will also be given,” he informed.
The National Centre of Excellence, which was announced by the Finance Minister in Delhi has also been proposed to the Maharashtra government. The Media and Entertainment Council is currently working closely with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and other state governments to facilitate this for Maharashtra.
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.
