India’s cultural and creative aspirations took center stage today as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025 — the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit — at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. This global-scale initiative aims to position India as a hub of creativity, technology, and storytelling on the international stage.
Unfolding on Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Statehood Day, the summit opened with a powerful address by the Prime Minister, who declared WAVES as “not just an acronym but a movement” — a confluence of culture, creativity, and connectivity.
Why WAVES 2025 Matters
Launched under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries”, WAVES 2025 is a strategic platform to:
- Showcase India’s creative leadership in film, gaming, OTT, animation, AR/VR, music, and more.
- Create global collaborations among artists, storytellers, tech innovators, investors, and policymakers.
- Establish India as a creative capital for the world, emphasizing the mantra “Create in India, Create for the World.”
- Unlock the potential of the Orange Economy — driven by content, creativity, and culture — projected to significantly boost India’s GDP and employment.
A Century of Storytelling, a Future of Innovation
Recalling that May 3, 1913 marked the release of Raja Harishchandra, India’s first feature film, PM Modi connected the summit’s timing with India’s cinematic legacy. He paid tribute to iconic filmmakers like Dadasaheb Phalke, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, and contemporary global contributors like A.R. Rahman and S.S. Rajamouli.
“Indian stories have entertained, educated, and shaped global conversations. From black-and-white reels to virtual reality, our journey reflects evolution with emotion,” the PM said.
A Platform for India’s New-Age CreatorsFrom rural folk artists to tech-savvy youth, PM Modi spotlighted the diverse and decentralized wave of Indian creators:
- Gamers in Bengaluru
- Podcasters in Kochi
- Filmmakers in Punjab
- Musicians in Guwahati
He emphasized how technology and tradition are converging to redefine creativity.
“WAVES is where art meets augmented reality, storytelling meets software, and creativity meets code,” he remarked.
The Global Vision: A Summit with Substance
The Prime Minister outlined the multi-dimensional scope of WAVES:
- Over 90 participating nations
- 10,000+ delegates
- 1,000 creators
- 300 companies
- 350 startups
- A dynamic WAVES Bazaar featuring 6,100 buyers and 5,200 sellers
He announced the creation of the WAVES Awards, set to become one of the world’s most prestigious honors in the creative sector, recognizing excellence across genres, geographies, and platforms.
Creative Responsibility in a Digital Age
While celebrating the vast potential of the creative economy, PM Modi issued a thoughtful reminder on content ethics and emotional intelligence.
“In a tech-dominated world, let us not lose the human touch. Let creativity foster compassion and cultural integrity,” he urged.
He also emphasized India’s inclusive spirit:
- Recognizing grassroots talent, akin to the “People’s Padma”
- Promoting regional stories and voices across the globe
- Encouraging creativity as a means of social unity and global understanding
India’s Rise as a Creative Superpower
PM Modi shared that India is already:
- #1 in global fintech adoption
- #2 in mobile manufacturing
- #3 in startup ecosystems worldwide
And now, with WAVES 2025, India aims to lead in creative exports, intellectual property, and global storytelling.
“India is not just home to a billion people, but to a billion stories. And now, the world is ready to listen,” he concluded, inviting global partners to invest not only in platforms but in people and purpose.
About WAVES 2025
WAVES 2025 runs for four days in Mumbai, featuring:
- The Global Media & Entertainment Dialogue with ministerial delegates from 25+ countries
- 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout panels, 32 masterclasses
- Creatosphere and Create in India Challenge, attracting over 100,000 young creatives across 32 categories
The summit marks the launch of a new era where India’s cultural capital becomes economic capital, placing Indian creativity at the heart of the global economy
