Driving India’s creative economy through skill development

I was amazed at the fact that there was an alchemy of technology and creativity in some of the scenes in the film. Every dazzling frame of the film was driven by a highly skilled workforce – animators, VFX artists, cinematographers and action choreographers, among others.

Films like Kantara: Chapter 1 go beyond entertainment to show how creativity can catalyze new livelihoods, strengthen cultural identity and unlock economic growth.

From film, music, design, fashion, reels, podcasts, gaming, AR-VR, digital arts to crafts – the creative economy is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic growth engines. Driven by content, creativity and culture, India stands at the brink of a creative revolution.

The creative economy, worth $30 billion, contributes 2.5% to GDP and employs 8% of India’s workforce. With over 2.5 million creators shaping consumer behavior and influencing nearly $400 billion in spending, the momentum is undeniable. By 2030, its consumption could reach $1 trillion and generate $100 billion in ecosystem revenue.

The optimistic projections are well-founded. Coldplay’s record-breaking two-night concert in India, the largest stadium show of the 21st century, is an example of this. As a cultural milestone, it marked the arrival of India’s creative economy as a formidable force of global influence and economic growth.

To truly unleash the power of the creative economy, skills development needs to be at the centre. Investing in cutting-edge training – whether it’s in design, animation, filmmaking, gaming or digital arts – can empower young people to innovate in fields as diverse as gaming, design, storytelling and new media.

And there is a lot of potential for growth in this. India’s creative exports are currently only one-tenth that of China, yet its demographic advantage offers huge potential. With 65% of the population under the age of 35, India’s youth dividend is likely to increase by 2055. It provides a unique window into building a skilled, future-ready creative workforce. Creative occupations already pay 88% more than non-creative occupations and contribute 20% to national GVA, underscoring their economic power.

The opportunity landscape is vast. The global animation market alone is projected to reach $895 billion by 2034. To achieve this, India must invest in skills, education, inclusivity and global collaboration – the essential building blocks of a vibrant, future-proof creative economy.

Here’s a story from close to home – Archana Prasad, winner of the British Council’s Digital Arts Grant (2018) for her idea to build an AI matchmaker that connects creative professionals. He launched Dara in 2019 – an AI personality that promotes India-UK cultural exchange through curated tech-art dinners.

During the pandemic, it evolved into Dara.Network – a video-first communication app. They then invited writers, cultural leaders, and playwrights to create interactive AI personalities. It is now Gooey.AI – an orchestration platform powering over 1.2 million builders worldwide, serving impact-driven clients such as the Wellcome Trust, UN IOM, the City of Seattle and leading UK universities.

This journey – from an artistic idea to a global technology platform – highlights that creative skills, when combined with technology and collaboration, can create transformative social and economic impact.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of a thriving creative economy. It is important for governments, industry and academia to come together to create a sustainable, globally competitive and locally rooted talent pipeline.

Recently, IIM Calcutta and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute have joined hands to create an academic ecosystem that incorporates innovation, media literacy and entrepreneurial thinking in India’s creative economy. Meanwhile, Art of the Possible, a professional development program for Indian creative and technical professionals by the National Center for the Performing Arts, helps them make connections.

Platforms like WAVES Summit, which facilitated more The turnover of Rs 1,300 crore in just two days is an example of the demand for co-creation and exchange of knowledge.

Globally, strategies such as the India-UK Vision 2035 are redefining creative collaboration through joint research, institutional relationships and initiatives such as the India-UK Creative Economy Week. The Cultural Cooperation Program signed between India and the UK strengthens this bridge by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in cultural industries, while positioning creativity as a catalyst for shared economic growth.

To unleash the potential of India’s creative economy, the education system should focus its attention on creative capacity-building. Integrating art, design thinking and storytelling into the mainstream curriculum can boost problem-solving, adaptability and collaboration – UK universities through international branch campuses are starting to offer programs to hone these indispensable skills. It has also been found that early exposure to creative learning increases emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and innovation across all subjects.

Equally important are models that link creativity with employment through vocational pathways, creative entrepreneurship and inter-cultural exchange.

Furthermore, programs such as the British Council’s New Landscapes for Fashion, Textiles and Technology – which are supporting innovative projects on bio-based sequins, climate positive microbial dyes and more – show how design can merge with sustainability. Initiatives such as the UK-India Education and Research Initiative also combine pedagogy with practice, combining STEM, behavioral sciences and social innovation to shape talent that can meet global challenges.

Other collaborative efforts such as the British Council’s Crafting Futures in India and the Creative Convergence Platform also show how India’s creative ecosystem can be nurtured through residencies, fellowships and capacity building initiatives with diverse themes such as creative cities, arts and technology, etc.

Expanding creative learning beyond classrooms is as important as reimagining what happens within them. While much of India’s creative development is metro-centric, the country’s real cultural capital thrives in its smaller cities. Six of India’s ten leading creative districts – Budgam, Panipat, Imphal, Tiruppur, Sant Ravi Das Nagar and Thane – are non-metropolitan, underscoring the creative potential beyond urban centres. Government initiatives like Skill India, AVGC policies and startup support have laid the groundwork, but this momentum must reach the heartlands through structured training, mentorship and community-led education.

Co-designed curricula that combine local heritage with modern creative practice can help bridge the skills gap. Initiatives like Climate Skills: Seeds for Transition India point the way to linking creative, vocational and environmental education to prepare youth for a sustainable, inclusive, creative economy.

As stories like Kantara ignite imaginations in India’s metros and heartlands, translating local talent to the global stage is the need of the hour. The convergence of skills and creativity can become the cornerstone of sustainable, inclusive growth. Recent policy momentum strengthens this foundation. government’s The Rs 62,000 crore youth-centric initiative, including PM-SETU and 1,200 vocational skills laboratories, aims to modernize learning and enable creative livelihoods across all sectors.

With the right mix of education, infrastructure and collaboration, India can evolve from a hub of creative talent to a global leader in creative innovation. If we can raise a generation to think creatively and work efficiently, India will not only join the global creative economy, but also help define it.

This article is written by Hema Singh Raines, Director Arts India, British Council.