Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that Bollywood is India's largest cultural export and a globally recognized brand. Speaking at the 4th Ideas Festival in New Delhi, Goyal refuted the notion that India has failed to create a global brand. He noted that India's true strength lies in its people, talent, and culture represented by Bollywood.
To demonstrate the industry's international reach, Goyal recounted an anecdote about a foreign leader. He stated that 'a vice-premier of one of the most powerful countries is chasing him because his daughter wants to work in Bollywood.'
Goyal's comments came amid recent discussions that arose during a meeting with investors at the India-Netherlands Business Forum. During this meeting, Goyal spoke about working hours and work-life balance.
Goyal asserted that Indians strive for hard work, and in India, no one will point at them at five in the evening, nor will anyone remind them about the end of the weekend. However, critics, including the Kerala IT Workers Union (KITU), accused Goyal of encouraging long working hours and burnout while ignoring work-life balance. The union compared this situation to the working hour debates initiated by Infosys founder Narayana Murthy.
Congress member Pawan Keda reacted to Goyal's statement. He questioned Goyal's intentions, asking if he was undergoing a 'career audition after Bharatiya Janata Party'. Keda wrote on X: 'Minister of Commerce by day, Bollywood casting agent by night.'