From Cinema to Cricket: Huma Qureshi and Tom Moody Explore India’s Cultural Footprint at CII

Kolkata, 24 March 2026: At a time when industries are navigating rapid transformation, the Annual Regional Conference of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Eastern Region in Kolkata brought together leaders who highlighted a shared belief: that trust, culture, and agility are the cornerstones of sustainable growth. As businesses strive to scale in an increasingly competitive and uncertain environment, speakers said that efficiency must be anchored in strong processes, innovation must be guided by a growth mindset, and leadership must continue to evolve with time.

The conference opened with a panel discussion on ‘Building Empires that Last’, a conversation on creating institutions that endure beyond market cycles and leadership tenures. “One of our primary focusses is efficiency. Without efficiency, we cannot compete effectively, and only with efficiency can we scale. The foundation of everything is earning the confidence of all stakeholders,” said Dr Sanjiv Goenka, Past President, CII and Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group adding that quality & efficiency, driven by strong processes, are two key fundamentals.

“Unless you move with time, you will stagnate, and large industries cannot afford to stagnate. Trust is given by customers, and we must earn it every day. For me, growth of good hospitals in Tier 2 cities reflects India’s scaling up. We must be innovative and bold enough to take risks,” stated Ms Shobana Kamineni, Past President, CII and Promoter Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd and Executive Chairperson, Apollo Health Co Ltd and Apollo Pharmacies Ltd.

Highlighting the three Vs ‘vision, value, and vitality,’ as key drivers of growth, Mr Sanjiv Puri, Immediate Past President, CII and Chairman & Managing Director, ITC Ltd. said, “Access to resources is crucial, and systems must be in place at the right time. The combination of these elements creates vitality. Value lies in implementing everything as intended, with trust at every level being central. As the saying goes, ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’. We also follow the Triple Bottom Line sustainability framework.”

Improving the quality of life for all those they serve remains the core goal, said Mr R Mukundan, President Designate, CII and Managing Director & CEO, Tata Chemicals Ltd. He added that leadership must be built on trust, which cannot be bought but earned over time, and that without strong capabilities, a venture cannot progress to the next level. He also touched upon the fact that continuous transformation is essential.

“One area where we fall short is the focus on R&D. The future of India lies in its states and districts, where industries have immense scope. Ordinary companies can achieve extraordinary things, and we must keep this belief alive,” said Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII.

This was followed by a panel discussion on ‘Building at Speed: The Startup Playbook’, focusing on how new-age enterprises are balancing rapid growth with long-term sustainability. “What works for us is quick and seamless conversation instead of the traditional form of communication which slows down decision-making,” said Mr Mehul Mohanka, Deputy Chairman, CII Eastern Region and Managing Director & Group CEO, Tega Industries Ltd.

“Currently, the world is in chaos but the reason we continue to survive even in such times is our ability to take quick decisions. Adapting to new-age technologies is very important,” said Mr Akshay Ghulati, CEO, International Shipping, Shiprocket.

Echoing similar views on the need for adaptability and forward-looking thinking, Mr Sibabrata Das, Co-Founder & COO, Atomberg Technologies Pvt Ltd, said “Staying focused is essential for survival. It is important to have a ‘growth mindset’. A ‘constraint mindset’ should not limit one’s perception of growth.”

The conference concluded with a session on the evolving landscape of media, entertainment, and sports, examining how leaders are responding to shifting audience behaviour, technological disruption, and global ambitions while shaping India’s cultural and creative footprint.

Bringing in a perspective from the creative industry, Ms Huma Qureshi, Actor, Author and Producer, emphasised, “When I started my journey, I was trying to understand how to navigate as a female artist. The more you listen to your inner voice, the more it resonates with you. ‘Soft power’ does not need to be engineered; it emerges authentically. As an actor, I believe in the specificity of every role I play. Being versatile is a form of soft power that I continue to explore.”

Speaking at the event, Mr Tom Moody, Global Cricket Director, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group and Director of Cricket, Desert Vipers, opined, “The IPL has a sense of authenticity, and through it, India shines on the global stage. I chose to work in the subcontinent over a more comfortable option because of its culture, which I truly embrace. The depth of talent in this country will drive the sector forward.”

“AI is reducing both cost and time. This is enabling creators to compete with the best in terms of imagination and helping bridge the gap that the Indian industry once faced. With AI, there will be greater seamlessness. Technology is enabling both creation and distribution across the globe. The consumer is maturing faster than the creator and we need to leverage it,” noted Mr Vikram Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Abundantia Entertainment.