Kashmir , May 1, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai’s Jio World Convention Centre, addressing a vibrant assembly of artists, content creators, innovators, investors, and policymakers from over 100 countries. The landmark summit, themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” positions India as a global epicentre for the media and entertainment industry, fostering creativity, collaboration, and economic growth.
In his inspiring address, PM Modi underscored WAVES as a platform for the global creative community. “Today, artists, innovators, investors, and policymakers from more than 100 nations have gathered here under one roof. We are laying the foundation for a global ecosystem of talent and creativity. WAVES is such a global platform that belongs to every artist and creator,” he declared, emphasizing its role in uniting diverse talents to shape the future of entertainment.
The summit’s grand opening was marked by the illumination of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) with dynamic visuals, echoing the theme #ConnectingCreators. Organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with support from FICCI and the Create in India Challenge, WAVES 2025 hosts over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 350 startups, and 300 companies, making it a pivotal event for India’s creative economy.
The event began with a captivating performance by Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani and a 30-member orchestra, celebrating India’s storytelling heritage. Day 1 featured high-profile discussions with icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, and global leaders such as Ted Sarandos (Netflix) and Neal Mohan (YouTube). A key panel, “The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends,” moderated by Karan Johar, included S.S. Rajamouli and A.R. Rahman, highlighting India’s global cinematic influence.
PM Modi toured the Creatosphere zone, engaging with young talents from the Create in India Challenge, which garnered over 100,000 entries. He also visited the Bharat Pavilion, showcasing India’s rich narrative legacy, and the Maharashtra Pavilion, spotlighting Mumbai’s cinematic prominence. WAVES integrates sectors like films, OTT, gaming, AI, AVGC-XR, and digital media, aiming to drive a $50 billion market by 2029.
In a video message, Priyanka Chopra praised the summit, stating, “WAVES is a bold leap for India’s creative future, bridging our timeless stories with global platforms.” The Global Media Dialogue (GMD), chaired by S. Jaishankar and Ashwini Vaishnaw, saw participation from 30 countries, reinforcing India’s leadership in global media.
With platforms like WAVEx connecting startups to investors and CreatoSphere offering mentorship, WAVES 2025 is set to catalyse innovation, skill development, and global partnerships, cementing India’s role as a creative powerhouse.
