AVGC THOUGHT LEADER Pioneering the Transformation of AVGC in India

Through his unwavering commitment and strategic initiatives, industry veteran and AVGC Taskforce member Ashish SK has bridged the gap between academia and industry, standardized AVGC curricula, and identified and nurtured talent. His visionary leadership has not only propelled the growth of the AVGC sector but has also positioned India as a global hub for AVGC production and innovation. He is chairman of FICCI AVGC XR Forum

In the early 2000s, Ashish SK, a visionary entrepreneur, recognized the immense potential of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector in India. He coined the term AVGC in 2000, paving the way for the formation of the FICCI AVGC Forum in the same year. With a clear vision to establish AVGC as a distinct sector and create independent policies and institutions to support its growth, Ashish and FICCI embarked on a journey that would shape the AVGC landscape in India.

Understanding the need for a comprehensive structure like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Ashish advocated for the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) for AVGC in 2005. This would provide a strong foundation for AVGC as a sunrise sector and nurture talent through formal education and specialized labs for Extended Reality (XR) and gaming. Ashish’s contributions extended beyond policy formulation.

ASHISH SK COINED THE TERM AVGC IN 2000, PAVING THE WAY FOR THE FORMATION OF THE FICCI AVGC FORUM IN THE SAME YEAR. WITH A CLEAR VISION TO ESTABLISH AVGC AS A DISTINCT SECTOR AND CREATE INDEPENDENT POLICIES AND INSTITUTIONS TO SUPPORT ITS GROWTH, ASHISH AND FICCI EMBARKED ON A JOURNEY THAT WOULD SHAPE THE AVGC LANDSCAPE IN INDIA.

He has worked extensively with more than 200 universities to develop curricula for AVGC programs, ranging from grades 6 to 12 and undergraduate to master’s levels. By fostering partnerships between academia and the industry, Ashish ensured that the talent pool in India received formal education to pursue careers in the creative, techno-creative, and design fields. One of the significant initiatives spearheaded by FICCI was the creation of the Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) in 2012. This proactive step aimed to provide equal opportunities for building careers in creative and techno-creative sectors, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Ashish’s involvement in formulating the NEP and advocating for the inclusion of AVGC as an integral part of the curriculum showcased his commitment to bridging the gap between industry requirements and academic offerings. To identify and nurture talent at a young age, MESC under leadership of Ashish introduced the MECATT aptitude test, which has become a benchmark for creative arts careers in India. Additionally, a junior version of MECATT was developed for students in grades 4 and 5, enabling them to pursue creative arts careers from the 6th grade onwards. These initiatives aimed to lay a solid foundation for the country’s future workforce and build a robust ecosystem encompassing the required skills for the AVGC industry. Ashish’s dedication to the grassroots level development of the AVGC sector in each state led to the formulation of exclusive AVGC policies in collaboration with state governments. By nurturing studios and educational institutions and facilitating the implementation of these policies, Ashish ensured that the AVGC ecosystem thrived across different regions of the country. States like Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal have witnessed significant success in implementing AVGC policies, while other states are in the process of launching their versions. The efforts of Ashish with Industry leaders culminated in the formation of the AVGC Taskforce, led by Apurva Chandra. This taskforce engaged in a nine-month-long consultation process, involving stakeholders from various sub-groups focused on animation VFX XR policy, education, skilling, and gaming.

The recommendations and sample state policies generated by the taskforce are now awaiting implementation, promising to lay a solid foundation for the future of AVGC and XR in India.

Looking ahead, the FICCI AVGC Forum report projects a twenty-fold growth in the AVGC workforce and a six-fold increase in India’s market share in the global AVGC industry over the next few years. In an exclusive interview with Ashish, the visionary entrepreneur and pioneer of the AVGC sector in India, we gained deeper insights into his journey and the transformative role played by FICCI in shaping the AVGC landscape. Here are some highlights from the interview: When asked about his motivation behind establishing the FICCI AVGC Forum, Ashish emphasized his belief in the untapped potential of the AVGC sector in India. He recognized the need for a dedicated platform that would bring together industry stakeholders, policymakers, and educational institutions to drive its growth. Ashish said, “I wanted to create a community that fosters collaboration, encourages innovation, and paves the way for the development of AVGC as a distinct sector.” Reflecting on his efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Ashish highlighted the significance of developing standardized curricula for AVGC programs. He stated, “It was crucial to ensure that students received quality education aligned with industry requirements. By partnering with universities and designing curricula that covered various aspects of AVGC, we aimed to provide a strong foundation for aspiring professionals.”

Ashish also spoke about the importance of recognizing talent at an early age and nurturing it to fulfill its potential. He discussed the MECATT aptitude test and its role in identifying creative talent in students. Ashish said, “We wanted to create a platform that not only identified talent but also provided guidance and opportunities for young minds to pursue creative arts careers. MECATT became a benchmark for assessing aptitude and passion for the AVGC field.”

When asked about the challenges faced during the formulation of AVGC policies at the state level, Ashish acknowledged the need for extensive collaboration between industry stakeholders and governments. He shared, “Each state had its unique requirements and potential. We worked closely with state governments, studios, and educational institutions to understand their specific needs and formulate policies that would encourage the growth of the AVGC sector within their respective regions.” Looking ahead, Ashish expressed his optimism about the future of AVGC in India. He emphasized the need for continued collaboration, investment in infrastructure, and nurturing of talent. Ashish stated, “India has the potential to become a global hub for AVGC. With the right policies, infrastructure, and a talented workforce, we can create world-class content and establish India as a leader in the global AVGC industry.”

In conclusion, Ashish’s visionary leadership and proactive initiatives have played a pivotal role in shaping the AVGC sector in India. Through policy advocacy, talent development, and collaboration between industry and academia, it has paved the way for the growth and transformation of the AVGC landscape. With their efforts and the promising recommendations of the AVGC Taskforce, the future of AVGC in India appears bright, poised for exponential growth, and global recognition.