Media & the creative economy

In November 2024, Dr. Murugan reviewed preparations for the 55th IFFI in Goa. For the 56th edition in 2025, he presented the curtain-raiser in New Delhi on 7 November and briefed the press with Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant on 15 November. He inaugurated the IFFI Masterclass Series at Kala Academy on 21 November. At the closing ceremony on 28 November, he and Chief Minister Sawant felicitated Rajinikanth on completing 50 years in cinema.

On 21 August 2026 he chaired the first Steering Committee meeting for the 57th IFFI, scheduled for Goa from 20 to 28 November 2026. On 15 June 2026 he inaugurated the 19th MIFF at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Mumbai, and gave the keynote address.

"India today is recognised across the world as a creative powerhouse and a reliable partner in content creation."

Dr. Murugan chaired a review of summit preparations at the venue on 18 April 2025. During the summit, on 3 May, he presented the 10th National Community Radio Awards to 12 stations at the 8th National Community Radio Conference. The same day he released five knowledge reports, including the Ministry's Statistical Handbook on Media & Entertainment 2024-25, and a white paper on India's live events economy. He also launched a report by the Motion Picture Association.

PIB's headline for the community radio awards records his view that community radio is a tool to reach citizens in all corners of the country and to take development initiatives to all. At the time, India had 531 community radio stations.

PIB records that on 22 September 2025 in Busan he chaired a roundtable on India's creative economy and on co-production with the Busan Film Commission. He also attended "Bharat Parv", a WAVES cultural showcase. In Seoul on 24 September he met members of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee to discuss a co-production agreement, piracy, and artificial intelligence. He also met the Korea–India Parliamentary Friendship Group.

He also met the global chief executive of the gaming company Krafton. They discussed India's new online gaming law, e-sports, and training talent through the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT). IICT is the national centre of excellence for AVGC-XR, set up in Mumbai with FICCI and CII as industry partners. PIB records that Krafton expressed interest in investing in India.

PIB summarised his address this way: film, music, gaming, animation, design, publishing, advertising and digital content make up a creative economy that is emerging as a new source of jobs and entrepreneurship for young Indians. Its growth depends on legal and policy frameworks, including copyright protection, fair pay for creators, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence. He urged students to contribute to the goal of a developed India, Viksit Bharat, by 2047.

The release does not quote him directly. The figures on the right are as stated in that release.

On 15 February 2025 he joined Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Yogi Adityanath at the inauguration of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 at Namo Ghat, Varanasi. That edition was themed on Sage Agasthyar, and PIB said about 1,200 delegates would travel from Tamil Nadu. In January 2025, at Pondicherry University, PIB recorded his announcement of a Global Thirukkural Conference in New Delhi. In September 2024 he called on the Vice President to seek a Tamil language department and research centre at Delhi University.

On 14 January 2026 he hosted Pongal celebrations at his residence in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part, according to the Prime Minister's Office.