Forever News
Mumbai: In a significant push towards strengthening Maharashtra’s creative economy, the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and the Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. (MFSCDCL), Mumbai, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to jointly implement structured training and certification programs across the state.
Signing ceremony was graced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar, FTII Chairman R. Madhavan, Additional Chief Secretary (Cultural Affairs) Vikas Kharge, along with senior officials from FTII, MFSCDCL, and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The MoU was exchanged between . Swati Mhase-Patil, Managing Director, MFSCDCL, and Dhiraj Singh, Vice Chancellor, FTII. This strategic partnership aims to promote skill development in the fields of film, television, and digital media, empowering aspiring creators through formal training and recognized certifications.
The signing ceremony was graced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister for Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar, FTII Chairman R. Madhavan, Additional Chief Secretary (Cultural Affairs) Vikas Kharge, along with senior officials from FTII, MFSCDCL, and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Fadnavis described the collaboration as a milestone for the state’s creative sector. “This marks the beginning of a new era. Maharashtra is set to become a national and global hub for the creators’ economy. With digital monetization rising, even individuals from remote regions are finding space as content creators,” he noted. Highlighting the rapid growth of the ‘orange economy’, the CM pointed to the NSE WAVES Index—which surged from ₹92,000 crore to ₹1 lakh crore since its launch in May 2025—as a clear indicator of the sector’s momentum.
He emphasized that while there is no dearth of talent, many lack formal credentials that open doors to professional opportunities. “This MoU will bridge that gap through structured and certified training programs,” he added.
Minister Ashish Shelar reinforced the inclusive nature of the initiative. “This collaboration will enable students from rural and semi-urban Maharashtra to access careers in media and film. It will also promote employment and showcase the state’s iconic filming destinations.” Courses will be conducted at MFSCDCL centres in Goregaon, Kolhapur, Prabhadevi, and Karjat.
FTII Chairman R. Madhavan emphasized the transformative power of creative education. “Talented individuals from small towns are telling stories that are resonating globally. This initiative will give them the skills to take their narratives even further.”
Outlining the roadmap ahead, Additional Chief Secretary Vikas Kharge stated, “Our planned programs will train students in filmmaking, cinematography, digital production, voiceover, dubbing, and emerging tools including AI.”
The MoU aims to create a robust ecosystem by integrating FTII’s academic excellence with MFSCDCL’s industry reach and infrastructure. Beyond training, the collaboration also supports entrepreneurship, cultural initiatives, and content incubation—aligned with national priorities in skilling and media innovation.
This initiative is part of the broader vision of the Government of India to empower the creative sector, boost employment, and establish India as a global leader in content creation and cultural innovation.
