WAVES 2025 Summit: India’s Bold Entry Into the Global Audio-Visual and Entertainment Landscape
The WAVES 2025 summit—short for World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit—officially launched on May 1 at the prestigious Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This four-day summit is a collaboration between India’s central and state governments, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheading the initiative. Designed to mirror global thought leadership events such as the World Economic Forum, WAVES 2025 focuses on empowering India’s entertainment sector by bringing together stakeholders from cinema, digital content, gaming, and immersive technologies.
The summit aims to showcase India’s rise as a global content creation hub. With over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and 350 startups in attendance from over 90 countries, WAVES 2025 is not just a national event—it’s a cultural milestone.
Priyanka Chopra Salutes PM Modi and WAVES 2025 for Elevating India’s Creative Economy
International superstar Priyanka Chopra Jonas took to Instagram to express her admiration and gratitude for PM Modi’s backing of the WAVES 2025 summit. In her video message, she called the summit “a historic and bold step” that marks India’s entrance onto the world stage in terms of creativity, innovation, and storytelling.
She elaborated on how going global was always about taking India’s culture and creative talent beyond borders. “What WAVES is doing today,” she said, “is giving our artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs the industry recognition they have long deserved.” She credited PM Modi and various supporting ministries for enabling such a visionary event that is putting Indian entertainment at the center of global conversations.
Uniting Diverse Industries: From Films and Gaming to Tech and Innovation, WAVES 2025 Embraces All
For the first time ever, the WAVES 2025 summit unites the broad spectrum of India’s creative sectors—cinema, television, gaming, digital tech, animation, and music—under one roof. Priyanka Chopra emphasized that this cross-industry collaboration sends a strong message to the world: India is not only rich in culture but is also a rising powerhouse of global innovation and enterprise.
The summit features several thematic zones including:
- WAVES Bazaar – for industry investments and cross-border collaboration.
- Creatosphere – a hub for interactive panels, showcases, and networking.
- WAVES Accelerator – focused on startup mentorship and business development.
Together, these components are designed to provide a holistic environment where tradition meets technology, and imagination meets commerce.
Indian Cinema Legends and Cultural Icons Open the Summit With Stories That Define India’s Soul
The WAVES 2025 summit opened with a high-profile session titled “Legends and Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul.” The panel was graced by Indian cinema icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Hema Malini, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Mithun Chakraborty. Moderated by Akshay Kumar, the session explored the roots of Indian storytelling, its evolution over decades, and its growing global relevance.
These veteran actors shared heartfelt anecdotes and discussed how Indian films have always transcended language and geography. This emotional yet powerful opening perfectly aligned with WAVES’ core vision—celebrating India’s cultural past while preparing it for a digitally driven future.
The New Era of Storytelling: Breaking Global Barriers With Indian Talent and Innovation
Another highlight of the WAVES 2025 summit is the session titled “The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends.” This star-studded panel includes filmmaker SS Rajamouli, actors Alia Bhatt, Anil Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal, and music maestro AR Rahman. Karan Johar, the panel’s moderator, guided the conversation around global collaborations, representation, and how Indian content is increasingly being consumed across continents.
The panelists reflected on the success of Indian films like RRR, Gully Boy, and Slumdog Millionaire—proof that Indian storytelling resonates universally when paired with the right platforms and production value.
WAVES 2025 Addresses Challenges of the Digital Age and Opportunities in AI, Copyright, and Distribution
Beyond celebrations, the WAVES 2025 summit also deals with pressing issues facing the entertainment industry. Topics include:
- Digital Broadcasting Regulations
- Copyright Protection for Performers and Content Creators
- The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Media
- Future Trends in Theatrical and OTT Releases
These sessions aim to create actionable policies that protect creative rights and ensure ethical use of technologies like AI, which are reshaping content production and consumption.
WAVES 2025 Summit Is Not Just an Event—It’s the Launchpad for India’s Global Entertainment Era
As Priyanka Chopra aptly put it, “India’s moment isn’t coming—it’s already here.” The WAVES 2025 summit has ignited a cultural movement that is set to influence generations to come. With government backing, global participation, and the support of influential artists and creators, WAVES is more than an event—it is a blueprint for the future of India’s creative leadership on the world stage.
Whether through cross-cultural storytelling, innovative technology, or powerful performances, India is ready to not just participate but to lead in shaping global narratives.
