Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on Thursday, emphasizing India’s potential to lead in global creative industries. Speaking to a diverse audience of artists, policymakers, and innovators from over 100 countries, Modi described the event as a pivotal platform for fostering creativity and international collaboration.
The four-day summit, hosted by the Maharashtra government in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, aims to position India as a hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. Modi highlighted the theme “Create in India, Create for the World,” urging creators to leverage India’s rich cultural heritage and technological advancements to produce globally resonant content.
Modi paid tribute to Indian cinema’s legacy, citing the global influence of icons like Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray, and the recent Oscar success of RRR. He noted that WAVES 2025, with over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, and representatives from 300 companies, is a step toward amplifying India’s creative economy, which he projected could significantly contribute to the nation’s GDP in the coming years.
The summit features the Global Media Dialogue, involving ministers from 25 nations to discuss cross-border creative partnerships, and the WAVES Bazaar, a digital marketplace connecting over 6,100 buyers and 5,200 sellers to facilitate global business deals. Modi also visited the Creatosphere, a showcase of talent from the “Create in India Challenges,” which attracted over 100,000 participants last year.
#WATCH | Mumbai | At WAVES 2025, PM Modi says, "…India, with a billion-plus population, is also a land of a billion-plus stories."
(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/3KLyEIXZR0— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025
Prominent figures, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, joined Modi at the inauguration. The event also drew industry leaders like Mukesh Ambani and film stars such as Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan, underscoring its significance.
WAVES 2025, running through May 4, is poised to strengthen India’s role in the global entertainment landscape, aligning with Modi’s vision of a $50 billion market by 2029.