Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 3: Biocon founder and global business leader Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has set an ambitious vision for India’s media and entertainment sector, calling for its expansion from a $20 billion GDP contributor today to a $100 billion industry, with a long-term goal of building a $1 trillion ‘Orange Economy’ by 2047, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.

Speaking at the WAVES 2025 Summit, Shaw emphasized the transformative power of the ‘Orange Economy’ — the creative economy encompassing culture, creativity, technology, and intellectual property — in driving economic, social, and cultural growth.

She urged Indian startups in the creative content sector to look beyond traditional filmmaking, and instead focus on building global brands, storytelling ecosystems, and scalable IPs.

“It’s time for India to create new stories that blend tradition and technology. Just as George Lucas was inspired by Indian epics for Star Wars, we too can reimagine our cultural heritage into global franchises,” Shaw said.

Highlighting India’s digital edge, she pointed to over a billion smartphones and a tech-savvy Gen Z as key levers of global innovation. However, she cautioned that “like any blockbuster, success starts small — with an idea, strategy, and relentless focus.”

Drawing parallels with her own journey of founding Biocon from a garage startup, she encouraged content entrepreneurs to embrace bold visions and long-term thinking.

Shaw identified augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and immersive storytelling as the next frontiers in India’s creative rise. “The next unicorns won’t just be apps — they’ll be creators who master IP, tech, and storytelling,” she said.

Calling on creators to embrace originality and persistence, Shaw concluded:

“Every great idea starts small. What matters is how far you take it. Failure is part of the journey.”