NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated WAVES 2025—India’s first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit—at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, marking a historic moment for the country’s creative economy.
The four-day summit, themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries”, aims to position India as a global hub for content creation, technology, and storytelling.
Addressing a packed hall of international dignitaries, ambassadors, industry leaders, and creators from more than 100 countries, the Prime Minister opened his speech by extending greetings on Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Statehood Day. “WAVES is not merely an acronym but a wave representing culture, creativity, and universal connectivity,” Modi said, emphasizing that the summit is a global celebration of music, film, gaming, animation, and storytelling.
A Century of Indian Cinema, a New Era of Collaboration
Reflecting on India’s cinematic journey, the Prime Minister recalled that on May 3, 1913, India’s first feature film Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke was released. “Indian cinema has carried our culture to every corner of the world,” he said, citing the global appeal of Raj Kapoor in Russia, Satyajit Ray at Cannes, and the Oscar-winning success of RRR.
He paid tribute to legends like Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, A.R. Rahman, and S.S. Rajamouli, noting that commemorative stamps have been issued to honour such artists.
WAVES 2025: A Global Creative Powerhouse
The Prime Minister lauded the WAVES Advisory Board and its organizing team for curating an impactful first edition. Highlighting the Creators Challenge and Creatosphere initiatives, he shared that over 100,000 creative professionals from 60 countries participated, with 800 finalists emerging across 32 challenges. “From its very first moment, the summit has captured global attention and is roaring with purpose,” he said.
The Bharat Pavilion, a showcase of indigenous creative innovations, and the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace involving over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects, were praised as key steps toward building a robust creative economy.
Ancient Roots, Digital Futures
Prime Minister Modi emphasized India’s millennia-old storytelling tradition, invoking the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni, and Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam, as timeless examples of cultural expression. “Every street has a story, every mountain a song, every river a tune,” he said. Referring to India’s six lakh villages, he celebrated the rich diversity of folk traditions that preserve history through oral narratives.
He linked this ancient heritage to modern formats, stating: “Whether it is bhajans, ghazals, classical compositions, or contemporary tunes, every melody carries a story, and every rhythm holds a soul.” The Prime Minister elaborated on the spiritual symbolism in Indian mythology, citing Lord Shiva’s Damru, Saraswati’s Veena, Krishna’s Flute, and Vishnu’s Shankha as embodiments of divine sound and rhythm.
WAVES as the People’s Padma for Creativity
Drawing parallels with the People’s Padma Awards, Modi said WAVES would similarly democratize recognition for artists and creators from every corner of India. “WAVES will ensure that artists from every part of the country find recognition on an international stage,” he declared.
The Prime Minister also recalled the success of the Gandhi One Fifty initiative, where creators from 150 countries performed Vaishnav Jan To, calling it a global moment of artistic harmony. “This collective strength of India’s creative world has already shown its power. Today, that vision has taken the form of WAVES,” he said.
India’s Creative Economy: The New Growth Engine
Modi stated that India is entering the era of the Orange Economy—driven by Content, Creativity, and Culture. “India is emerging as a global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, and music,” he said.
Noting that the global animation market is valued at over $430 billion and expected to double in the next decade, he urged Indian creators to lead this wave.
He also celebrated the surge in Indian content consumption abroad. “Indian films are watched in over 100 countries. International viewers are now watching with subtitles, indicating a deeper interest,” he observed.
He praised the growth of India’s OTT industry, saying, “Screen sizes are shrinking, but screen impact is growing. Micro screens are delivering mega messages.”
A Rallying Call to Young Creators
In an inspiring call to youth, Modi said:
“Whether you’re a musician from Guwahati, a podcaster in Kochi, a game designer in Bengaluru, or a filmmaker in Punjab—your creativity is fueling India’s growth.” He added, “This is the platform where Creativity meets Coding, Software blends with Storytelling, and Art merges with Augmented Reality.”
Assuring full support from the government through Skill India, AVGC-XR policies, and Startup support, he encouraged creators to “dream big and dedicate themselves to realizing their vision.”
Creative Responsibility in the Age of Technology
The Prime Minister urged creators to uphold cultural richness and emotional depth in a rapidly digital world. “We must ensure that technology does not erode compassion. The creative world must safeguard human sensibilities,” he said. He emphasized the need to protect the younger generation from harmful ideologies and to use platforms like WAVES to inspire hope and values.
Global Connectivity and Cultural Synergy
Welcoming international artists and investors, he stated:
“Engage with India’s stories and you will find narratives that reflect your own cultures. This is the time to Create in India, Create for the World.”
Calling on global investors, Modi said:
“Invest not just in platforms, but in people. India’s youth has one billion untold stories waiting to be shared with the world.” He added that WAVES will be a bridge—connecting Indian creators to global storytellers, gamers to global champions.
WAVES Awards Announced
In a key announcement, the Prime Minister revealed plans for the WAVES Awards, which he said will become “the most prestigious honours in the world of art and creativity.” He urged continued commitment from the industry to take the summit to even greater heights.
About WAVES 2025:
WAVES 2025 is a landmark event that integrates film, OTT, gaming, comics, AVGC-XR, AI, digital media, and emerging tech. It also features the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) with ministerial participation from 25 countries and aims to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029.
Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dr. L. Murugan were among the leaders who graced the occasion.
As the summit progresses, India steps confidently onto the global creative stage—with WAVES 2025 signaling the start of a cultural and economic renaissance driven by content, technology, and the timeless spirit of storytelling.
