MUMBAI, May 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated WAVES 2025, India’s first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, in Mumbai, describing it as a global platform for creativity and connectivity.
The four-day global summit aims to position India as a premier hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. Addressing a large gathering of artists, creators, policymakers, and investors from over 100 countries, PM Modi said WAVES has the potential to reshape global creative engagement.
Extending greetings to the people of Maharashtra and Gujarat on their Foundation Day, the Prime Minister welcomed international participants and praised the global reach of Indian creativity. “WAVES is a global platform that belongs to every artist and every creator, where every artist and youth will connect to the creative world through new ideas,” he said.
PM Modi also paid homage to Indian cinema’s origins, recalling the release of Raja Harishchandra, India’s first feature film directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, released on May 3, 1913. He highlighted how Indian cinema has historically enhanced India’s global influence, citing Raj Kapoor’s popularity in Russia, Satyajit Ray’s recognition at Cannes, and the recent international acclaim of RRR at the Oscars.
The summit, themed ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’, is hosting more than 10,000 delegates from over 90 countries, including 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The event features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout discussions, and 32 masterclasses, covering diverse domains such as films, OTT platforms, broadcasting, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), and digital media.
One of the major highlights is the Global Media Dialogue, being hosted by India for the first time, with ministerial representation from 25 nations. The dialogue seeks to deepen India’s ties with the international media and entertainment community.
Another significant attraction is the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace designed to encourage collaboration among 6,100+ buyers, 5,200 sellers, and over 2,100 projects. This marketplace is set to enhance local and global networking, allowing creators and companies to access new markets and partnerships.
WAVES 2025 reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging India’s creative and technological strengths to lead in the global digital and entertainment economies. The summit is seen as a crucial step toward unlocking a $50 billion market by 2029 and boosting India’s cultural and economic footprint globally.
