On May 1, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The four-day summit, running from May 1 to May 4, aims to establish India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. With the tagline "Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries," the event brings together creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the world.

PM Modi at WAVES 2025: "Viksit Bharat's Journey Has Just Begun"

At the opening of WAVES 2025 in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India's journey toward becoming a developed nation is just beginning. He highlighted the country’s rapid progress and outlined its future potential, stating, "India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy. We are already the global leader in fintech adoption and the second-largest mobile manufacturer in the world. India boasts the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. The journey of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) has only just begun, and the country has so much to offer. With a population of over a billion, India is also a land full of stories waiting to be told."

A Star-Studded Inaugural Day

The opening day of WAVES 2025 featured a series of high-profile panel discussions with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema:

• "Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul": Moderated by Akshay Kumar, this session will  feature Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi, discussing the evolution of Indian cinema and its impact on culture.

• "The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends": Directed by Karan Johar, this panel includes SS Rajamouli, AR Rahman, Anil Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, exploring the global reach of Indian films and the future of cross-cultural collaborations.

• "The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler": Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone to share insights into their careers, moderated by Karan Johar, reflecting on their journeys in the film industry.

Mumbai: The Heart of India’s Entertainment Industry

Mumbai, the host city, is known as the entertainment capital of India, and its choice as the venue for WAVES 2025 was no surprise. Home to Bollywood, the city’s thriving media and film industries, coupled with its world-class infrastructure, make it the ideal location for the summit. The Jio World Convention Centre, where the summit is being held, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, allowing global industry leaders to connect and collaborate in a world-class setting.

Maharashtra’s Vision for the Future

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also addressed the gathering, highlighting the state's commitment to supporting India’s creative industries. He praised PM Modi’s vision for the entertainment sector and noted how Maharashtra’s policies have paved the way for the development of Mumbai as a global hub for creative industries.

Fadnavis further mentioned the state's focus on creating a robust infrastructure to support film production, digital content, and new-age technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Industry Leaders Weigh In

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, expressed confidence in India's potential, stating, "PM Modi's presence at WAVES 2025 sends a strong message of unity and ambition." He highlighted the summit's role in amplifying India's voice on the global stage.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen emphasized the transformative power of creativity, noting, "India's creative industry can employ more people than the manufacturing industry. We will support Modi in making India the world's creativity capital."

What WAVES 2025 Means for India

WAVES 2025 is not just a platform for global collaboration—it is a testament to India's growing creative influence. The summit is expected to attract international investments, create new business partnerships, and put India at the center of the global creative conversation.

The event represents a significant milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in the entertainment industry. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the summit lays the foundation for the next generation of Indian creatives to succeed on the world stage.