Maharashtra Eyes Gaming Capital Status, Says CM Fadnavis At Creator Roundtable
Maharashtra Eyes Gaming Capital Status, Says CM Fadnavis At Creator Roundtable
Roundtable with Creators and Platforms Discusses Challenges in Gaming, Marathi Content, Art Institutions, and Entertainment Sector
Mumbai, May 3 – Maharashtra currently has few companies in the video gaming sector, but the government is determined to make the state the “Gaming Capital” of the country. Training programs are being conducted through the Skill Development Department to support this goal. This will certainly provide a solid platform for emerging creators in the entertainment sector, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
He was speaking at a roundtable meeting with key figures from the creator and platform industries during the Global Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit at Jio World Centre, organized in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
“We are committed to making Maharashtra a leader in the gaming industry. With the help and advice of industry experts, we will move forward and focus on developing skilled talent in this field,” said Fadnavis. He added that Maharashtra already provides an inspiring and supportive environment for filmmakers, and efforts will be made to discuss tax concessions with the central government.
Fadnavis praised the idea of converting traditional Indian games into modern formats and creating intellectual property (IP) around them, which can be commercialized nationally and globally. He also appreciated the suggestion to include rural and urban women in gaming and content creation, creating employment opportunities.
Global Push for Marathi Content
Efforts will be made to bring Marathi content to OTT platforms and elevate it to a global level with a focus on high-quality production. Fadnavis urged stakeholders and companies to actively contribute to the growth of the Marathi content industry.
Upskilling, IP Rights, and Investment in Education
He highlighted the importance of industry support for upskilling initiatives. The government will collaborate with Tata Skill Development University and the Skill Development Department to offer complete assistance. He emphasized the need for IP awareness and proposed a special economic zone for the media and entertainment sector. A single-window clearance system for film shooting is now active in Maharashtra, allowing all permissions through one portal. No fees are charged for shooting at government locations.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge, Industry Department Secretary P. Anbalagan, Development Commissioner Deependra Singh Kushwaha, MIDC CEO P. Velarasu, and Special Officer to the CM Kaustubh Dhavse, along with founders and CEOs of various creator companies.
During the roundtable, CEOs of different companies raised issues regarding Marathi content, licensing, and challenges faced by artists in Maharashtra.
