Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates WAVES 2025

Mumbai:1/5/25:Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the WAVES 2025, India’s first-of-its-kind World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai today. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, he greeted everyone on the occasion of Maharashtra day and Gujarat Statehood day being celebrated today. Acknowledging the presence of all international dignitaries, ambassadors, and leaders from the creative industry, the Prime Minister highlighted the significance of the gathering, emphasizing that over 100 countries’ artists, innovators, investors, and policymakers have come together to lay the foundation for a global ecosystem of talent and creativity. “WAVES is not merely an acronym but a wave representing culture, creativity, and universal connectivity”, he remarked, further underlining that the summit showcases the expansive world of films, music, gaming, animation, and storytelling, offering a global platform for artists and creators to connect and collaborate. The Prime Minister congratulated all participants on this historic occasion and extended his warm welcome to the distinguished guests from India and abroad.

Reflecting on India’s rich cinematic history at the WAVES Summit, Shri Modi noted that on May 3, 1913, India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, was released, directed by the pioneering filmmaker Dadasaheb Phalke. He recalled that Phalke’s birth anniversary was celebrated just a day earlier. He underscored the impact of Indian cinema over the past century, stating that it has successfully taken India’s cultural essence to every corner of the world. He highlighted the popularity of Raj Kapoor in Russia, the global recognition of Satyajit Ray at Cannes, and the Oscar-winning success of RRR, emphasizing how Indian filmmakers continue to shape global narratives. He also acknowledged the cinematic poetry of Guru Dutt, the social reflections of Ritwik Ghatak, the musical genius of A.R. Rahman, and the epic storytelling of S.S. Rajamouli, stating that each of these artists has brought Indian culture to life for millions worldwide. Shri Modi also remarked that Indian cinema legends were honored through commemorative postage stamps, paying tribute to their contributions to the industry.

Shri Modi underscored India’s deep-rooted artistic and spiritual heritage at the WAVES Summit, highlighting the concept of Naad Brahma, the divine sound. He remarked that Indian mythology has always expressed divinity through music and dance, citing Lord Shiva’s Damru as the first cosmic sound, Goddess Saraswati’s Veena as the rhythm of wisdom, Lord Krishna’s Flute as an eternal message of love, and Lord Vishnu’s Shankha as a call for positive energy. He emphasized that the mesmerizing cultural presentation at the summit also reflected this rich heritage. Declaring that “this is the right time,” Shri Modi reiterated India’s vision of Create in India, Create for the World, asserting that the country’s storytelling tradition offers an invaluable treasure spanning thousands of years. He highlighted that India’s stories are Timeless, Thought-Provoking, and Truly Global, encompassing not just cultural themes but also science, sports, courage, and bravery. He remarked that India’s storytelling landscape blends science with fiction, and heroism with innovation, forming a vast and diverse creative ecosystem. He called upon the WAVES platform to take on the responsibility of sharing India’s extraordinary stories with the world, bringing them to future generations through new and engaging formats.

Underscoring India’s tradition of embracing diverse ideas and cultures, referencing a Sanskrit phrase, Shri Modi emphasized that India’s civilizational openness has welcomed communities like Parsis and Jews, who have thrived in the country and become an integral part of its cultural fabric. He acknowledged the presence of ministers and representatives from various countries, noting that every nation has its own successes and contributions. He remarked that India’s strength lies in respecting and celebrating global artistic achievements, reinforcing the country’s commitment to creative collaboration. He emphasized that by creating content that reflects the accomplishments of different cultures and nations, WAVES can strengthen the vision of global connectivity and artistic exchange.

The Prime Minister extended an invitation to the global creative community, assuring them that engaging with India’s stories would reveal narratives deeply resonant with their own cultures. He emphasized that India’s rich storytelling tradition carries themes and emotions that transcend borders, creating a natural and meaningful connection. He remarked that international artists and creators who explore India’s stories will experience an organic bond with the nation’s heritage. He stated that this cultural synergy will make India’s vision of Create in India even more compelling and accessible to the world.

The Prime Minister expressed his unwavering confidence in India’s content creators, highlighting that their free-flowing creativity is redefining the global creative landscape. He emphasized that the youthful spirit of India’s creators knows no barriers, boundaries, or hesitation, allowing innovation to thrive. He remarked that through his personal interactions with young creators, gamers, and digital artists, he has witnessed firsthand the energy and talent emerging from India’s creative ecosystem. He acknowledged that India’s massive young population is driving new creative dimensions, from reels, podcasts, and games to animation, stand-up, and AR-VR formats. The Prime Minister asserted that WAVES is a platform designed specifically for this generation—one that enables young minds to reimagine and redefine the creative revolution with their energy and efficiency.

Emphasizing the transformative impact of technology on the creative world, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of global coordination to harness its full potential. He remarked that WAVES will serve as a bridge connecting Indian creators with global storytellers, animators with global visionaries, and transform gamers into global champions. He invited international investors and creators to embrace India as their content playground and explore the country’s vast creative ecosystem. Addressing global creators, the Prime Minister urged them to dream big and tell their story. He encouraged investors to invest not just in platforms, but in people and called on Indian youth to share their one billion untold stories with the world. He concluded by extending his best wishes to all participants of the inaugural WAVES Summit.

The Governor of Maharashtra Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Union Ministers, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Dr. L. Murugan were present among other dignitaries at the event.

Background

WAVES 2025 is a four-day summit with tagline “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries” is poised to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation by bringing together creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the world.

In line with Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging creativity, technology, and talent to shape a brighter future, WAVES will integrate films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging tech, making it a comprehensive showcase of India’s media and entertainment prowess. WAVES aims to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, expanding India’s footprint in the global entertainment economy.

At WAVES 2025, India is also hosting the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) for the first time, with ministerial participation from 25 countries, marking a milestone in the country’s engagement with the global media and entertainment landscape. The Summit will also feature the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace with over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects. It aims to connect buyers and sellers locally and globally, ensuring wide-reaching networking and business opportunities.

Prime Minister visited the Creatosphere and interacted with creators, selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges launched nearly a year ago, which garnered over one lakh registrations. He will also visit the Bharat Pavilion.

WAVES 2025 will witness participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The summit will feature 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses spanning diverse sectors including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.