Guwahati: Meghalaya showcased its growing presence in India’s creative and digital economy through its state-backed digital initiative, ‘Hello Meghalaya’, at Film Expo India held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The initiative presented Meghalaya not merely as a picturesque filming destination but as an emerging hub for storytelling, filmmaking and creative talent. The state’s pavilion attracted filmmakers, actors, industry professionals and Bollywood representatives, besides technology and artificial intelligence innovators and delegates from other sectors interested in Meghalaya’s expanding creative ecosystem.

The ‘Hello Meghalaya’ stall received around 300 visitors on its opening day. Several filmmakers and actors also expressed interest in exploring Meghalaya for future productions and collaborating with local creative talent.

Actor Vindu Dara Singh praised Meghalaya for showcasing the region on a national platform and expressed confidence that film productions would soon be undertaken in the state. Nixon D’Cruz, associate director of the blockbuster film Pushpa, also expressed interest in exploring future creative opportunities and Meghalaya’s talent pool.

Filmmaker Ashwin Nayak similarly praised the state government’s initiative, highlighting the talent available across Meghalaya’s tribal communities.

The showcase was centred on ‘Hello Meghalaya’, a state-backed OTT platform conceived to create a sustainable digital ecosystem for young people, musicians, filmmakers and content creators in the state.

The platform offers free access to regional content and supports local creators through a viewership-based revenue model, enabling them to reach audiences beyond Meghalaya while earning from their creative work. The initiative aims to go beyond conventional grants or content-hosting support by creating opportunities for young creators and strengthening the state’s creative economy.

Meghalaya has also introduced the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025, aimed at establishing the state as a major filming destination under its Vision 2032. The policy includes incentives such as single-window clearances through the Invest Meghalaya Portal and subsidies of up to Rs 1 crore or 25 per cent of production costs. Additional support is available for productions that use local talent and music or premiere content on the ‘Hello Meghalaya’ platform.

The state recently hosted its first feature film supported under the policy, Baa Baa Black Sheep. The film was shot entirely in Meghalaya over 25 days and generated employment opportunities for nearly 2,000 local youths.

At Bharat Mandapam, the ‘Hello Meghalaya’ delegation highlighted the state’s evolving role in India’s film and creative ecosystem while showcasing its culture, artists and emerging talent to a national audience.

The expo also featured Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, with a fashion showcase presenting indigenous textiles and traditional attire from the state and the wider Northeast.

Through initiatives such as ‘Hello Meghalaya’, the Meghalaya government is seeking to connect local creative talent with opportunities at the national and international levels. The state is positioning itself not only as a filming destination but also as a growing centre for original content, local storytelling and creative enterprise.