Captain Rahul Bali delivering Key Note Address.
Acclaimed Film Producer, Cultural Diplomat and Indian Army Veteran Captain Rahul Bali delivered a compelling keynote address at the 2nd National CEO Conclave 2026 in Bhubaneswar, presenting a visionary roadmap to position Odisha as a global destination for tourism, culture, filmmaking and the creative economy.
The conclave brought together eminent dignitaries including Hon'ble Member of Parliament Shri R.N. Behera, CEO, Startup Odisha Shri S.R. Pradhan, IAS, Consul General of India in Auckland Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, Padma Shri Dr. Ashok Mahapatra, CEO, TPCODL Shri Gajanan S. Kale, Chairman, Kiri Industries Shri Manish Kiri, along with policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, diplomats, academicians and industry experts from across the country to discuss Odisha's vision for becoming a globally competitive and developed state.
Delivering his keynote, "Celebrating Odisha - Building a Global Destination Through Culture, Art & Tourism," Captain Bali highlighted how Odisha's rich cultural heritage, spiritual legacy, artistic traditions, natural beauty and tourism assets can become powerful engines of economic growth, employment, investment and global recognition.
He commended the Government of Odisha under the leadership of Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi for its focus on infrastructure development, tourism promotion and investment, while appreciating the National CEO Conclave as an important platform for showcasing Odisha's vast potential.
"The National CEO Conclave is a visionary initiative that brings together government, industry and thought leaders to collectively shape Odisha's future. Such platforms play a vital role in positioning the state as a destination for investment, innovation, tourism and cultural excellence," said Captain Rahul Bali.
Calling Odisha "one of India's greatest untold stories," Captain Bali emphasized that the state already possesses world-class heritage, spirituality, culture, art and authentic experiences. He stressed that the next step lies in creating stronger storytelling, global visibility and destination branding.
Drawing from his international experience in filmmaking and destination promotion, including the landmark Indo-Vietnam feature film Love in Vietnam, he demonstrated how cinema has become one of the world's most effective tools for tourism promotion, investment attraction, job creation and destination branding.
He further highlighted the growing importance of the Creative Economy-encompassing film, television, digital media, music, festivals, design and cultural experiences-as a key driver of future economic growth.
"Culture is no longer merely a heritage asset to be preserved. It is economic capital that can create jobs, generate tourism revenues, attract investment and build a strong global identity."
Captain Bali also proposed a long-term vision to establish Odisha as a preferred destination for domestic and international film productions through filmmaker-friendly policies, streamlined approvals and stronger engagement with the global film industry. His recommendations included a Global Film Odisha Mission, an internationally recognized Odisha International Film Festival, and an Experience Odisha Campaign to strengthen the state's global brand.
His keynote received an enthusiastic response from delegates, who appreciated the practical roadmap for leveraging Odisha's cultural and tourism strengths to support the vision of "Viksit Odisha 2030."
Meeting with Odisha Chief Secretary
Following the conclave, Captain Rahul Bali held a productive interaction with Chief Secretary Ms. Anu Garg, IAS, in the presence of Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi,
Consul General of India in Auckland.
The discussions focused on positioning Odisha as a preferred destination for domestic and international film productions and exploring how cinema can showcase the state's iconic monuments, spiritual circuits, tribal heritage, coastline and diverse landscapes to global audiences. Captain Bali also expressed his interest in exploring Odisha as a filming location for one of his forthcoming international projects.
Ms. Anu Garg appreciated the potential of film-led destination promotion and welcomed the exchange of ideas on how the creative industries can contribute to tourism development, investment attraction and sustainable economic growth.
A Vision for Odisha's Global Future
Concluding his address, Captain Rahul Bali expressed confidence that Odisha is uniquely positioned to emerge as one of India's leading destinations for tourism, culture, filmmaking and investment.
"Tourism is not built by monuments alone. It is built through stories, experiences, festivals, films and emotional connections. Odisha has everything needed to become a globally admired destination. With visionary leadership, strategic collaboration and effective storytelling, the state can build a powerful model of sustainable and inclusive growth."
The keynote and subsequent discussions reinforced the growing recognition of culture, tourism and the creative industries as strategic pillars of economic development and highlighted Odisha's immense potential on the global stage.
About Captain Rahul Bali
Captain Rahul Bali is an Indian Army Veteran, Film Producer, Entrepreneur, Festival Curator and Cultural Diplomat. He is the Producer of the Indo-Vietnam feature film Love in Vietnam and the upcoming international feature film SILAA. He is also the Curator of the Indian Film Festival Worldwide (IFFW) and has played a pioneering role in strengthening cultural, tourism and economic relations between India and several countries through cinema, festivals and international collaborations.
