MUMBAI: The World Audio Video Entertainment Summit 2025 (#WAVES2025) proved to be a milestone gathering of India’s creative, digital, and technological vanguards. Over multiple days, the event brought together cinema icons, music legends, tech pioneers, media voices, and gaming industry leaders to chart the roadmap for India’s next leap in global storytelling and innovation.
Innovation, inspiration, and India’s creative future—WAVES Summit 2025 in Mumbai had it all. As global icons, tech pioneers, and cultural leaders gathered, the stage was set for a convergence of bold ideas and game-changing moments.
From Shankar Mahadevan’s AI-driven compositions to Shraddha Kapoor’s take on meme culture, our exclusive photo story takes you inside the summit’s electric atmosphere. Through dynamic visuals, The New Indian’s photojournalist Tejasvi Pandey captures the defining moments of this cultural revolution—raw, vibrant, and unfiltered.
Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor & Vijay Deverakonda: On Cinema’s Global Journey
Kareena Kapoor Khan, in conversation with Karan Johar and Vijay Deverakonda, reflects on the global impact of Indian cinema. She shares that “Jab We Met” would be her choice to introduce herself to the world, emphasizing how Indian films are now gaining international recognition and acclaim.
Shraddha Kapoor & Instagram’s Adam Mosseri: Meme Culture as Soft Power
Shraddha Kapoor, in a lively discussion with Instagram’s Adam Mosseri, spoke passionately about the growing influence of meme culture in India’s digital ecosystem.
Kapoor, who has become a cultural icon in her own right, declared, “I consider myself a meme addict.” She emphasized the role of memes in shaping cultural dialogue, not only providing humor but also reflecting and influencing societal narratives.
Adam Mosseri acknowledged India’s central role in this global shift, calling it “a major creative engine” on Instagram. He highlighted how memes, as a form of digital expression, have become a form of soft power, transcending borders and resonating across global audiences. Together, they discussed how memes serve as a cultural export, with India at the forefront of this viral movement, driving trends and discussions worldwide.
Media as a Strategic Asset
The summit also featured a thought-provoking discussion on the role of media in contemporary India.
Anant Goenka, Executive Director of The Indian Express, sparked controversy with his bold statement, “Most of the fake news are coming from government.”
This was met with sharp reactions and led to a larger conversation about the evolving role of media in an increasingly polarized society.
Palki Sharma Upadhyay posed a key question, “Is it time for us to accept that media is now a strategic asset—not just a tool to inform?”
The panel delved into how media today is more than just an information source—it’s a tool that shapes perceptions, influences decisions, and plays a significant role in national security. As India’s media landscape evolves, this conversation highlighted its growing power to shape political discourse, international relations, and cultural narratives.
Vikrant Massey: From Doordarshan to Digital Streaming
Vikrant Massey shared his perspective on the dramatic evolution of media consumption in India, reflecting on his own career trajectory. Speaking about the shift from traditional television to digital streaming platforms,
Massey remarked, “Our appetite for stories has remained the same. Formats have changed. Phones are the new cinema halls.”
He emphasized the changes in how audiences engage with content, with the mobile phone becoming a primary device for consuming stories, transforming the entertainment landscape. Massey also reflected on the democratization of storytelling, noting how the rise of digital platforms has allowed for greater diversity in the types of stories being told and the people telling them. This shift, he said, was more than just technological—it’s reshaping the entire cultural fabric of media consumption in India.
Gaming & Esports Leadership: From Risk to Reinvention
India’s esports sector, still in its formative stages, is now seeing rapid growth, and the summit provided a stage for industry leaders to discuss their journeys.
Animesh ‘Thug’ Agarwal (S8UL), reflecting on his experience in building the esports ecosystem, shared, “I wasn’t the best gamer, but I knew I could build around the ecosystem. That’s where my strength was.” His story resonated with the panel as they discussed how India’s esports landscape has gone from niche to mainstream.
The panelists highlighted how gaming is now being viewed as a viable career option, with a thriving professional circuit and millions of active players. With India’s gaming market projected to grow exponentially,
Akshat Rathee of NODWIN expressed his optimism: “The esports sector is set to become one of India’s biggest entertainment industries, with a unique blend of technology, creativity, and talent driving the future.” The panel emphasized the role of esports in shaping India’s next-generation entertainment ecosystem, positioning the country to lead in the global gaming space.
Shankar Mahadevan: AI as the Composer’s Companion
Shankar Mahadevan, a trailblazer in the fusion of Indian classical and contemporary music, shared his innovative collaboration with AI at the summit.
Speaking about his creative process, Mahadevan said, “AI is like a friend guiding you… but the first and last word must always be the artist.”
This encapsulated his belief that while technology can be a powerful tool, it is ultimately the artist who drives the creative vision. Through his work with Google’s Music AI Sandbox, Mahadevan created the track Rubaroo, blending AI-generated loops with traditional Indian instruments.
He explained how AI helps him experiment with new sounds and compositions, saying, “It’s a companion, helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible in music, but the soul of the composition remains rooted in human expression.”
This collaboration represents the merging of tradition and technology, where AI is not a replacement for human creativity, but an enabler of new artistic possibilities.
Fantasy Sports & Indigenous AI: FIFS Whitepaper Launch
The intersection of fantasy sports and AI was another key highlight at the summit with the launch of the FIFS Whitepaper, presented by Joy Bhattacharjya, Director General of the Fantasy Sports Federation of India (FIFS). Bhattacharjya urged policymakers to position sports as a priority sector under the IndiaAI Mission, emphasizing how fantasy sports are becoming a key platform for AI development in India.
He remarked, “Fantasy sports is not just entertainment; it’s a vital tool for democratizing AI in India.”
The whitepaper outlined how the sector can drive innovation by fostering indigenous AI solutions that benefit not only fantasy sports but also have broader applications across industries. With initiatives like Gameathon, Bhattacharjya pointed out that India has the opportunity to develop homegrown AI solutions that could become globally significant, positioning India as a leader in AI-driven sports technology.
“How Music Can Amplify India’s Global Identity” Panel: From Sound to Soft Power
In a powerful conversation featuring Amruta Fadnavis, Kumar Taurani, Asees Kaur, Amarjit Batra (Spotify India), and Ralph Simon (Mobilium Global)—moderated by Ayushman Sinha (Represent)—panelists explored how Indian music can serve as cultural diplomacy.
Spotify India MD Amarjit Batra said, “I-pop is going to give big support to India,” highlighting the rising global appeal of Indian Pop.
Ralph Simon added colorfully, “Had multiple eargasms listening to Indian music last evening at WAVES,” praising artists like Arijit, Shankar Mahadevan, Diljit, and Hanuman Kind.
Singer Asees Kaur made a heartfelt appeal: “India needs more venues where artists can actually perform,” calling for a boost in grassroots music infrastructure to power the next wave of global influence.
Future of Gaming: India’s Moment to Play Big
The “Future of Gaming – Powering the Next Play” panel brought together SEGA, Krafton, Nazara, Lakshya Digital, and FIFS. With India’s gaming market poised to grow from USD 1.5 billion to USD 3.6 billion by 2030, optimism ran high.
Nazara’s Nitish Mittersain cited India’s talent and tech innovation as drivers of future global success.
Krafton India’s Sohn drew comparisons with South Korea’s rise, noting that AI, broadband access, and government support could make India a surprise frontrunner.
Shukul highlighted India’s “hockey stick growth” trajectory, calling gaming not just entertainment but a “legitimate, aspirational career path.”
“Our belief in India’s creative and technological capabilities is deep and long-term,” said Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, KRAFTON India. “By showcasing 13 exciting titles including 9 from Indian studios and supporting startups through the KRAFTON India Gaming Incubator, we’re not just making games; we’re helping shape a thriving ecosystem.
With over $200 million already invested and another $170–200 million committed, we remain focused on co-creating the future of gaming with India’s best talent.”
The World Audio Video Entertainment Summit 2025 (#WAVES2025) proved to be a milestone gathering of India’s creative, digital, and technological vanguards. Over multiple days, the event brought together cinema icons, music legends, tech pioneers, media voices, and gaming industry leaders to chart the roadmap for India’s next leap in global storytelling and innovation.