In a big move towards positioning Madhya Pradesh as the next AVGC and XR hub of India, the state government of Madhya Pradesh has launched a series of future-focused initiatives to set up an ecosystem for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR).
AnimationXpress interviewed Sanjay Dubey, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of Madhya Pradesh, to learn how the state is setting up the stage to entice creative minds and studios as well.
“The time is now,” Dubey said. “With the AVGC-XR space growing at a tremendous pace, states like Karnataka and Telangana have already made a mark. Madhya Pradesh has every potential to become the next creative capital, and we’re backing that with policy, infrastructure, and education.”
The state government is already working on creating a state-level AVGC-XR policy that will facilitate talent development, incubation of startups, and infrastructure planning.
The emphasis, Dubey describes, lies in holding on to local talent and bringing in outside investments through incentives, the provision of co-working facilities, and the introduction of academic programs that are compatible with the needs of the industry.
He added, “Our purpose is not merely to make consumers of content, but content generators. For this, we are closely collaborating with educational institutions as well as private players.”
The plan is to establish centres of excellence, specialized production houses, and digital innovation camps in major cities such as Bhopal and Indore. These will provide mentorship, infrastructure, as well as a launchpad for startup companies operating in animation and virtual reality.
“We are making Madhya Pradesh a state that not only embraces digital transformation but spearheads it,” Dubey added.
The state is also in talks with top AVGC studios and XR firms to attract their talent for establishing incubation clusters and initiating skilling programs. Various discussions are being pursued with gaming firms, animation institutes, and technology partners to co-develop content and develop IPs from scratch.
Dubey added, “Public-private partnerships will be crucial. We’re designing the policy in such a way that industry stakeholders feel welcomed and incentivized to build in MP.”
With its rich cultural heritage and growing youth population, Madhya Pradesh is uniquely placed to tell Indian stories through modern formats like animation and VR.
“We have stories, talent, and now the intent. Our job is to create an environment where all three come together, and we’re committed to making that happen,” Dubey concluded.