Arena Animation Alumni Meet Ahmedabad Celebrates Industry Growth
Arena Animation Alumni Meet in Ahmedabad Spotlights Growth of India’s AVGC-XR Industry
As India’s animation, visual effects, gaming and digital content industries continue to expand, education and training institutions are increasingly focusing on building stronger links between students, professionals and employers. Against this backdrop, Arena Animation recently brought together former students, industry leaders and creative entrepreneurs at an alumni meet in Ahmedabad, highlighting both individual success stories and the wider growth of the country’s AVGC-XR sector.
The event was held at Fairfield by Marriott on Ashram Road and was attended by more than 80 alumni, industry partners and professionals connected to the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) ecosystem. Organised by Arena Animation, a training brand of Aptech Limited, the gathering formed part of a nationwide alumni engagement programme that the institution plans to roll out across major metropolitan and non-metropolitan cities.
As Arena Animation prepares to complete 30 years on June 21, 2026, its National Head Shajan Samuel believes the industry is entering a new phase driven by technology, creativity and changing audience preferences. Speaking in Ahmedabad during the Arena Animation Alumni Meet, Samuel repeatedly stressed that while AI is becoming a powerful force, “AI can only be a tool. If you are creatively strong and you are using AI, then it is going to work for you. But if you are creatively weak and you are using AI, it is not going to work for you.”
According to Samuel, the real strength of the creative industry lies in original thinking. “Aapka soch, aap koi badal nahi sakte. You have to be original in your thinking,” he said, adding that AI may handle routine work, but creativity will continue to belong to people.
He also sees tremendous opportunities ahead for India’s animation, VFX and content creation sectors. Pointing to the growing acceptance of Indian stories globally, Samuel said India is no longer limited to outsourced work and is increasingly creating its own intellectual properties. He believes the world is ready to embrace Indian stories, provided they are backed by quality execution and scale.
Yet, for Samuel, technology alone is not enough. “If your script is not powerful and if your storyboarding is not powerful, people will not be interested,” he remarked. In his view, storytelling remains the foundation of every successful film, animation project or digital production. Visual effects and software may evolve, but a compelling story continues to be the deciding factor.
Looking ahead, Arena Animation is focusing not only on software training but also on nurturing creative visualisation, observation skills, collaboration and industry readiness. As Samuel summed it up, tools will keep changing, but creativity and storytelling will remain timeless.
Ahmedabad has increasingly become an important centre for creative industries, design education, digital media and entrepreneurship. Gujarat’s growing start-up ecosystem and expanding technology sector have helped create new opportunities for professionals working in animation, visual communication, content creation and digital design. Industry observers note that the state’s emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship has encouraged many creative professionals to launch their own ventures rather than pursue only traditional employment pathways.
Many of those trends were visible at the alumni gathering. Several former students who now hold leadership positions in businesses and creative enterprises attended the event and shared their experiences with current learners and fellow professionals.
Among the notable alumni present were Avesh Bhas, Chief Executive Officer of Artosouls; Amit Mehta, Founder of Imagine Communications; Deep Ardashana, Design Head at Inextrix Technologies; and Mihir Bhavsar, Business Head at Bonacci. Their participation reflected the range of career paths available within the creative economy, including entrepreneurship, design leadership, digital communication and technology-driven services.
Throughout the event, discussions focused on how the creative sector has evolved over the past decade and how emerging technologies are reshaping industry requirements. Topics included digital content creation, virtual production, immersive experiences, changing audience expectations and the growing role of artificial intelligence and advanced visual technologies in creative workflows.
Industry participants also discussed the increasing demand for original intellectual property, commonly referred to as IP, which includes characters, stories, franchises and digital content that can be developed into long-term commercial assets. India has traditionally been recognised as a major outsourcing destination for animation and visual effects services. However, industry experts increasingly argue that future growth will depend on creating original Indian content capable of reaching global audiences.
Against this backdrop, Arena Animation announced the launch of Arena Animation Originals, an initiative designed to encourage students and alumni to conceptualise and develop original intellectual properties. The programme aims to support content creation and creative development while exposing participants to new production technologies and industry practices.
The initiative was unveiled by Mr. Shourya K. Chakravarty, Chief Human Resources Officer of Aptech Limited, and Mr Shajan Samuel, Senior Vice President and National Sales Head of Arena Animation.
The launch comes at a time when policymakers, industry bodies and educational institutions are placing increasing emphasis on intellectual property creation within the AVGC-XR sector. Recent national and state-level policies have highlighted the importance of supporting creators, start-ups and studios that can develop original content and compete internationally. Several states have introduced dedicated AVGC-XR policies aimed at attracting investment, supporting innovation and creating skilled employment opportunities.
Speaking at the event, Mr Shajan Samuel said:
“It is inspiring to see our alumni from Ahmedabad and Gujarat successfully building ventures, leading creative enterprises, and making meaningful contributions across leading studios and creative organisations. As Arena Animation marked 30 years, this milestone is not only a reflection of our legacy, but of the strong industry network we have cultivated over time. The Ahmedabad Alumni Meet celebrates these achievements while reinforcing our commitment to nurturing talent, strengthening alumni connections, and fostering a collaborative ecosystem that inspires the next generation of creative professionals.”
Arena Animation’s 30-year milestone coincides with a period of significant change within India’s media and entertainment landscape. Industry studies suggest that the broader media and entertainment sector is expected to continue to expand steadily over the coming years, driven by digital consumption, online content, gaming, streaming platforms, and advances in immersive technologies. The AVGC-XR segment is widely viewed as one of the key growth engines within that ecosystem.
The alumni meet also provided a platform for experienced professionals to share practical guidance with aspiring creators. Discussions covered career planning, portfolio development, industry expectations and the skills required to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment. Participants exchanged views on how educational institutions and industry stakeholders can work together to ensure training programmes remain aligned with changing technological and market demands.
For students and young professionals, such interactions can offer valuable exposure to real-world career experiences. Alumni who have built successful careers often provide insights into industry challenges, emerging opportunities and the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly evolving field.
As India continues to invest in creative technologies, digital content creation, and skill development, events such as the Ahmedabad alumni meet illustrate the growing role of professional networks in supporting career growth and industry collaboration. They also reflect a broader shift within the country’s creative economy, where animation, visual effects, gaming and immersive technologies are increasingly being recognised as significant contributors to employment, entrepreneurship and global content creation.
With similar alumni gatherings planned across India, Arena Animation hopes to strengthen connections among former students while supporting the wider development of the country’s expanding AVGC-XR ecosystem. For Ahmedabad, the event served as a reminder of the city’s growing presence in India’s creative industries and its contribution to a sector that is becoming an increasingly important part of the nation’s digital future.
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