India’s orange economy—encompassing media, entertainment, gaming, digital content creation, animation, design, performing arts, cultural tourism and heritage industries—has quietly emerged as one of the most dynamic pillars of the country’s growth story. What was once treated as a soft-power appendage is now a serious economic force. Globally, creative industries contribute roughly 3 per cent of world GDP, and India’s share is rising rapidly. Currently estimated at over $30-35 billion, the country’s creative economy is projected to potentially cross $100 billion within the next decade if the current momentum is sustained.

This acceleration is not accidental. India’s demographic advantage—with a majority of its population under 35—combines with deep smartphone penetration and inexpensive data access to create fertile ground for digital creators. Add to this the unparalleled reservoir of Indian civilisational storytelling, mythology, music and regional diversity, and the possibilities become extraordinary. Animation rooted in epics, AI-powered Indic storytelling, immersive heritage experiences, devotional music formats reimagined for youth audiences, and gaming built around Indian mythological heroes are no longer distant possibilities; they are active industries in the making.

Yet such a transformation requires more than a naturally expanding consumer base. It requires political and cultural endorsement that reframes creativity as economic strength. That decisive shift has taken place under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Modi has consistently articulated that India’s cultural strength must translate into economic power. In several public interactions with young entrepreneurs, digital innovators and content creators, he has referred to the “creators’ economy" as a sunrise sector capable of generating employment at scale while simultaneously strengthening India’s global cultural footprint.

His encouragement to AI developers and gaming professionals to........

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