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We should aim for the M&E industry to grow more than $100 bn by 2030: I&B secretary at Ficci Frames Fast Track’ 22
Mumbai: The union secretary for information and broadcasting Apurva Chandra has exhorted the media and entertainment industry to set a target of growing the industry to more than $100 billion by the year 2030. “India will be a $10 trillion economy in the next ten years. We should aim for a media and entertainment industry worth more than $100 billion by 2030. The ministry of information and broadcasting will do whatever it takes to support the M&E industry and help it grow.” The secretary was addressing the inaugural session of Ficci Frames Fast Track 2022 in Mumbai on Tuesday, 27 September 2022.
The secretary announced that Invest India is going to be leveraged in order to bring in higher foreign investment into India in the film sector. “The ministry has merged various film units under one; NFDC, based in Mumbai, is going to be the hub of the cinematic arm of the government. With this, we want to revamp the Film Facilitation Office. We are going to hand this over to Invest India, the main investment arm created by the government under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi to attract industry to India. More than $100 billion of FDI is coming to India this year. We want to leverage Invest India to bring in foreign investment. We will reach out to foreign filmmakers to come to India.”
The secretary informed that the government will work with states to facilitate and promote film shooting in India. “We recently announced an Incentive Scheme for Audio-Visual Co-production and an Incentive Scheme for the Shooting of Foreign Films in India at the Cannes Film Festival. With incentives given by states too, it becomes a viable and attractive package for filmmakers.”
The secretary announced that the government of India will work with the states and formulate a ‘Model Theatre Policy.’ “Over the past five-six years, the number of theatres has been on a decline. We need to reverse this trend. We will assign the Film Facilitation Office to work with Invest India to come up with a single-window portal for opening theatres, so that more and more theatres can come up and the public can get more avenues to watch the magic of films in theatres. We will also work with the states to create a ‘Model Theatre Policy,’ so that the states can adopt and work on the same.”
Observing that viewing habits of people have changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the secretary noted that when ticket prices were brought down to Rs 75 three days ago, all shows were full. “This shows that if price points are right, people can afford theatres. The craving to go to the theatre is there, so we need to work on how we can bring people back to theatres.”
The secretary said that he had a fruitful meeting with some stalwarts of the film industry on Monday, on the proposed amendments to the Cinematograph Act. “All stakeholders present supported the proposed amendments for the introduction of anti-piracy provisions and age classification with the UA category.” With the support of the film industry, we hope to table the amended bill in the winter session of parliament, he added.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
