India’s Creative Economy Takes Centre Stage as Government, Industry and Global Leaders Converge in Delhi
Creative Economy Forum Season 4, themed “Rise of Creative Bharat,” to bring together policymakers, creative businesses and international institutions on September 18–19
India’s creative economy is emerging as an increasingly important conversation around enterprise, investment, technology, culture and global influence, as the Creative Economy Forum (CEF) – Season 4 brings together policymakers, leading creative businesses, international institutions and entrepreneurs in New Delhi on September 18–19, 2026, at the PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Themed “Rise of Creative Bharat,” the two-day forum will examine the business of creativity across entertainment, media, music, fashion, heritage, craft, technology and artificial intelligence, with discussions focused on building globally competitive creative businesses and intellectual property from India.
The Forum is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Startup India.
Inaugural Session and Central Theme
The Forum will open with “Rise of Creative Bharat” as its central theme, setting the stage for a two-day conversation on the growing economic, cultural and global significance of India’s creative industries. The inaugural session will feature a keynote address by Shri Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Minister for Art & Culture, Language and Tourism, Government of NCT of Delhi, alongside senior voices from government and the creative industries.
The programme will explore financing the future of Indian entertainment, building global fashion capital in India, cultural infrastructure and capital, creative diplomacy, live entertainment, creative IP, AI, music technology, fandom and brand ecosystems.
Senior Voices from Across the Creative Economy
The Forum will bring together senior voices from across the creative economy, including industry leaders, policymakers and cultural figures from India and abroad.
Speakers & Participants
- Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale, BJP Foreign Secretary
- Shri Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
- Supriya Yarlagadda, Annapurna Studios
- Resul Pookutty, Oscar and BAFTA awardee
- Rajeev Masand, COO, Dharma Collab Artist Agency
- Rajiv Chilaka, Founder, Green Gold Animation & creator of Chhota Bheem
- Yeshwant Rao Holkar, Hotelier, Heritage & Textile Revivalist
- Sana Rezwan, Executive Director, Prestige Group & Founder, Public Art Trust, Jaipur
- Karishma Swali, Managing Director & Creative Director, Chanakya International and Chanakya School of Craft
- Rajiv Arora, Founder, Amrapali
International participation will include ambassadors and representatives from Brazil, Egypt, South Africa and more, with discussions examining the role of creative industries in cultural diplomacy, international collaboration and global markets.
Day Two: The Next Generation of the Creative Economy
Day Two will focus on the next generation of the creative economy, including fan platforms and brand ecosystems, Indian creative IP and global markets, AI and human creativity, music technology, creators, heritage, craft and India’s global cultural narrative.
Creative Global Voice of India Awards
The Forum will culminate in the Creative Global Voice of India Awards (CGVI), recognising outstanding creative businesses and institutions from across India. The awards will be preceded by a Black Tie Red Carpet Reception and presented by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture & Tourism, on September 19.
