FRAMES’ FAB 25

By Pickle October 7, 2025

As FICCI FRAMES marks 25 years, we honor the visionaries, leaders, and changemakers whose passion and foresight made it India’s premier platform for media and entertainment.

INDUSTRY ICON

Yash Chopra’s passion elevated FICCI FRAMES, turning a small industry into an IP powerhouse. He leveraged star power, championed creative excellence, and fought piracy. His enduring vision and pursuit of progress remain the gold standard in India’s filmed entertainment sector.

STRATEGIC TRAILBLAZER

Amit Mitra, FICCI Director General, foresaw India’s media potential early and championed elevating film to industry status. His strategic leadership fostered best practices, nurtured talent, and forged government partnerships, modernizing the sector and creating a globally respected, opportunity-rich media landscape.

POLICY CHAMPION

Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Information & Broadcasting, fiercely supported FICCI FRAMES, securing industry status for films and IDBI funding. She foresaw the potential of “Filming in India,” driving media liberalization and globalizing Indian entertainment, fueling the sector’s dynamic growth.

CREATIVE VISIONARY

Amit Khanna, a visionary pioneer, blended creativity, business, and technology to shape India’s media landscape. As long-time FICCI FRAMES co-chair, he spearheaded media convergence and anticipated evolving consumer trends, guiding India’s entertainment sector towards greater innovation and sustained global expansion.

INNOVATION LEADER

Kunal Dasgupta, former Sony Entertainment Television CEO, championed Innovative programming and early recognition of India’s market potential. As FICCI FRAMES chairman, his visionary leadership sustained the forum, boosting its growth and reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of Indian media.

LEGACY KEEPER

Karan Johar, who led FICCI’s Entertainment Committee, carries forward the legacy of Yash Chopra and Yash Johar. A visionary blending tradition and modernity, he brought fresh talent, global practices, and a culture of credibility, creativity, and transparency to the Indian media industry.

MEDIA REFORMER

As FICCI’s M&E Committee chair, Uday Shankar transformed India’s media landscape. A visionary leader, he de-glamorised the sector, championed policy reforms, revolutionized sports broadcasting, and inspired a generation, cementing his legacy as a modern architect of FICCI FRAMES.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Kamal Haasan expanded FICCI FRAMES’ influence to South India, strengthening regional representation and tech focus. Now an influential Rajya Sabha MP, he continues to advocate for India’s cinematic brilliance with visionary insight and unwavering confidence in the industry’s creative power.

FINANCE PIONEER

Producer Bobby Bedi was crucial in shaping FICCI FRAMES, curating insightful knowledge forums and global thought leadership. A trailblazer in film financing, he championed cinema’s industry status, introduced film insurance, and created a visionary platform showcasing India’s creative excellence worldwide.

DIGITAL DYNAMO

Ashish SK has been instrumental in advancing India’s AVGCXR and creative economy through FICCI FRAMES. As founder of PunnaryugArtvision and chair ofFICCI’s AVGC-XR Forum for over two decades, he advocated talent growth, innovative policies, and global cooperation, positioning India as a digital creativity hub. He is also the creator of FICCI BAF Awards.

MEDIA MAVERICK

A.P. Parigi, a media veteran and staunch FICCI FRAMES supporter, played a pioneering role in radio reforms and media liberalisation. As a dynamic leader at The Times of India Group, he championed industry welfare, best practices, and transparency, creating new opportunities and jobs in India’s growing creative economy.

ANIMATION ADVOCATE

Animation pioneer Munjal Shroff, chair of FICCI AVGC-XR Forum, advocates the motto “Create in India, Design for the World.” He played a key role in bringing global anime icons and legends like Ram Mohan to FICCI FRAMES, passionately shaping India’s animation industry for international prominence.

QUIET STRATEGIST

Siddhartha Dasgupta was a key force in FICCI FRAMES’ early years, bridging industry leadership and vision under Dr. Amit Mitra. His quiet determination and strategic finesse helped establish FRAMES as a benchmark event. He now leads Corporate Affairs at PRISM.

INDUSTRY INSIDER

Leena Jaisani, FICCI’s Deputy Secretary General, has been integral to FICCI FRAMES since its inception in 2000. Mentored by Dr. Amit Mitra, Siddhartha Dasgupta, Yash Chopra, her decade of leadership and deep industry understanding make her a respected voice championing the media and entertainment sector’s evolution.

CINEMATIC ICON

Ayushmann Khurrana, ambassador for FICCI FRAMES 2025’s silver jubilee, embodies Indian cinema’s global spirit. A champion of fresh talent and creative innovation, he returns as a cultural icon and industry ally, celebrating India’s creative journey on the world stage.

INDUSTRY UNIFIER

Ravi Kottarakara has played a crucial role in uniting Indian cinema’s diverse stakeholders. A key figure at FICCI FRAMES, his expertise in copyright and intellectual property, alongside leadership at FFI and the South Indian Film Chamber, has shaped essential policies and fostered collaboration for industry-wide growth.

TECH VISIONARY

Ravi Velhal brought Intel’s cuttingedge technology to FICCI FRAMES, merging storytelling with immersive tech. A pioneer in 8K OTT and VR Olympic streams, his “Tech meets Story” approach revolutionized image-making and inspired FRAMES with groundbreaking innovation, technology and global public policy since 2008.

DIGITAL PIONEER

Neeraj Roy, a digital media trailblazer, transformed the industry with mobile and appdriven innovation at FICCI FRAMES. His foresight shaped new business models and audience engagement, making him a leading force in India’s digital media evolution well ahead of the curve.

FILMMAKING LEGEND

Ramesh Sippy, iconic filmmaker and former FICCI Entertainment Committee Co-Chair, has been a steadfast collaborator in the industry. His visionary leadership and partnerships with legends like Yash Chopra have shaped policy dialogue, marking FRAMES’ silver jubilee alongside Sholay’s golden anniversary.

JOURNALISM LEADER

Vikram Chandra, veteran broadcast and digital journalist and ex-NDTV CEO, spotlighted news and digital media at FICCI FRAMES. A thought leader in journalism ethics and policy, he champions preserving credibility in the news ecosystem amid the rise of social media.

INSIGHTFUL ANALYST

Ashish Pherwani, Media & Entertainment Leader at EY India, has authored FICCI FRAMES reports for eight consecutive years. His authoritative insights on digital transformation, market trends, and strategic growth make these reports essential references for industry positioning and policy advocacy in Indian M&E.

DIGITAL STRATEGIST

Jehil Thakkar, a veteran from Deloitte and KPMG, has been a key contributor to FICCI FRAMES through influential reports on India’s media and entertainment sector. His thought leadership on digital trends and advertising shifts highlights his role as a pioneering strategist bridging technology, media innovation, and growth for over a decade.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT DYNAMO

Sabbas Joseph of Wizcraft has been a vibrant force at FICCI FRAMES, driving live entertainment’s growth. Through IIFA and strategic partnerships, he has significantly boosted Indian cinema’s global presence, bringing unparalleled energy and brilliance that elevate both the FICCI FRAMES forum and the industry’s global stature.

POLICY CATALYST

Supran Sen was a driving force in FICCI FRAMES’ formative years, advocating for industry status, policy reforms, and inclusive dialogue. As a wellconnected insider and Mumbai’s industry face in the 2000s and beyond, he helped build vital forums that united stakeholders and amplified the sector’s voice in business and policy growth.

TALENT SCOUT

Rajiv Chaudhary, a behind-the-scenes stalwart at FICCI BAF Awards, has been essential in identifying and celebrating emerging AVGC-XR talent. His meticulous curation has transformed BAF Awards into an industry standard, inspiring countless young creatives to achieve excellence.