Andhra Pradesh is considering an entertainment and creator-economy hub in Visakhapatnam, with actor-producer Rana Daggubati agreeing to work with the state government on an ecosystem for films, digital content, gaming and other creative industries. The proposal was discussed during a live podcast featuring Daggubati and Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh at the CII Partnership Summit 2026.
Lokesh said the state should move beyond conventional film-production incentives and develop an end-to-end system covering studios, production facilities, post-production infrastructure and allied creative businesses. The proposal places Visakhapatnam at the centre of a broader plan to attract entertainment-related investment and build institutional support for creative-sector activity.
The minister described the creator economy as a potential new engine of growth for Andhra Pradesh. He said the state would need infrastructure and institutional backing to attract investment and nurture talent across entertainment and digital-content sectors.
Lokesh also referred to Hyderabad’s emergence as a major film-production centre through the development of studios and Film Nagar. According to the report, he said Andhra Pradesh could seek to replicate that model in Visakhapatnam with government support and active participation from industry stakeholders.
The proposed ecosystem is intended to extend beyond conventional film production. Lokesh pointed to opportunities in YouTube productions, digital media, gaming and other emerging creative formats. He said smartphones and more accessible technology had lowered entry barriers for young creators while opening new avenues for content production and monetisation.
Daggubati responded by pledging to collaborate with the Andhra Pradesh government and industry stakeholders on developing an entertainment ecosystem in Visakhapatnam. The proposed ecosystem would cater not only to the film industry but also to creators working across digital and other emerging formats.
The discussion did not announce a project cost, identified site, construction schedule, land allocation, financing structure or specific government agency responsible for implementation. It also did not establish whether the proposal has moved beyond an initial policy and industry discussion.
The proposal nevertheless links Visakhapatnam’s urban development ambitions to the growth of production infrastructure, digital businesses and creative employment. Its implementation would require the state and industry participants to define the physical facilities, institutional framework and investment model for the proposed hub.
Lokesh and Daggubati agreed to work with the government and industry stakeholders on a broader vision to position Andhra Pradesh as a destination for the creator economy, with Visakhapatnam emerging as a potential centre for entertainment-related investment, production infrastructure and creative talent.
