Maharashtra – Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre on May 1, 2025, setting the stage for a transformative moment in India’s entertainment sector. The four-day WAVES Summit 2025, held under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” is positioned as a global platform to boost India’s role in media, entertainment, and digital innovation. With representatives from over 100 countries, the event seeks to position India as a hub for the future of global creativity.
Celebrating India’s Cinematic Heritage
In his address at the WAVES Summit 2025, PM Modi took a moment to celebrate the rich history of Indian cinema, recalling the release of Raja Harishchandra, India’s first feature film, on May 3, 1913, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke. He underscored the profound global impact of Indian cinema, citing how iconic filmmakers and actors, from Raj Kapoor’s films in Russia to RRR’s historic Oscar win, have cemented India’s position in the global cultural landscape.
“Indian cinema has successfully taken our cultural essence to every corner of the world,” Modi said, acknowledging the legacies of revered filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, and A.R. Rahman. His speech reflected a deep reverence for the contributions that these figures have made in shaping both Indian and global cinematic history.
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WAVES Summit 2025: A Platform for Global Collaboration
PM Modi praised the inaugural WAVES Summit 2025, noting its success and purpose from the outset. He pointed to the unprecedented scale of the Creators Challenge and Creatosphere initiative, which attracted over 100,000 creative professionals from 60 countries. Of these, 800 finalists were selected from 32 unique challenges. Modi also revealed plans for the WAVES Awards, which he envisions becoming the most prestigious honors in the world of creativity and art.
The summit’s broad scope includes discussions and collaborations in various sectors such as film production, music, gaming, and digital content. It aims to not only celebrate creativity but also build bridges between global creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers.
The Rise of India’s Creative Economy: The ‘Orange Economy’
PM Modi introduced the concept of India’s burgeoning “Orange Economy” — a vision for a future where content, creativity, and culture stand as the pillars of India’s economic growth. He noted that Indian films have now found an audience in more than 100 countries, with viewers increasingly turning to subtitled content for deeper engagement. According to Modi, India’s creative economy has vast untapped potential, particularly in film production, digital content creation, fashion, gaming, and music.
He highlighted the impressive tenfold growth of India’s Over-the-Top (OTT) industry, which has become a major player in the global media landscape. Additionally, he pointed out the growing opportunities in the global animation market, which is valued at over $430 billion and expected to double in the next decade. This expansion presents significant opportunities for India, positioning it as a key player in the global media economy.
“Create in India, Create for the World”
PM Modi reiterated India’s vision of “Create in India, Create for the World,” stressing the country’s timeless storytelling tradition as a unique asset. “India’s stories are Timeless, Thought-Provoking, and Truly Global,” he said, emphasizing the universal appeal of India’s cultural narratives. Whether exploring historical epics, modern themes, or future-forward innovations, Modi invited the global creative community to engage with India’s diverse and rich narrative tradition.
This message in the WAVES Summit 2025 resonates with the belief that India’s creative output is not confined to its borders but has the potential to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. During the WAVES Summit 2025, Modi encouraged international creators to draw from India’s wealth of cultural material, knowing that these stories have the power to resonate globally.
Empowering Young Creators and Innovators
Modi placed particular emphasis on empowering India’s youth to lead the charge in shaping the nation’s creative future. Acknowledging the work of young creators from across the country, from musicians in Guwahati to filmmakers in Punjab, he underscored the government’s support for emerging talent. Through initiatives such as Skill India, Startup Support, and policies geared towards the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) sector, Modi assured that India’s young creative professionals would have the tools and platforms needed to thrive.
“WAVES Summit 2025 will serve as a major platform where Creativity meets Coding, Software blends with Storytelling, and Art merges with Augmented Reality,” he said, calling on young creators to dream big and seize the opportunity to bring their ideas to life.
Creative Responsibility in the Digital Age
In addition to celebrating creativity, PM Modi addressed the importance of creative responsibility in today’s digital era. As technology rapidly evolves, he emphasized the need for creators to preserve emotional sensitivity and cultural richness. He argued that while technological advancements can streamline production, the essence of creativity — the ability to foster empathy and intellectual depth — must remain intact.
“The goal is not to create robots but to nurture individuals with heightened sensitivity, emotional depth, and intellectual richness,” Modi asserted. His words highlighted the critical role of art, music, dance, and storytelling in maintaining human sensibilities in an increasingly digitized world.
WAVES Summit 2025: Bridging Global Creative Communities
WAVES Summit 2025 has brought together creative professionals from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates and 1,000 creators in attendance. The WAVES Summit 2025 features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses, covering a wide range of topics from broadcasting and infotainment to AVGC-XR, films, and digital media. It is also hosting the Global Media Dialogue (GMD), a first for the summit, with ministerial participation from 25 countries.
One of the standout features of the event is the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace connecting over 6,100 buyers and 5,200 sellers, facilitating cross-border exchanges in over 2,100 projects. This initiative is aimed at creating new business opportunities and fostering international partnerships within the global creative sector.
Looking Ahead: India as a Global Creative Powerhouse
In his concluding remarks, PM Modi invited global investors and creators to explore India’s vast creative potential. “Dream big and tell your story,” he encouraged international creators, stressing the need for investment not just in platforms but in people. With the potential to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, India aims to emerge as a global leader in the entertainment and creative economy.
WAVES Summit 2025 is a milestone in India’s ambitious journey to establish itself as a creative powerhouse. By creating a platform for collaboration, celebrating its cinematic legacy, and empowering young creators, India is well on its way to shaping the future of the global media landscape.
