The World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, a monumental event aimed at positioning India as a global powerhouse in the media and entertainment (M&E) industry, was inaugurated today at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This landmark summit, spanning four days from May 1 to May 4, is hosted by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, in collaboration with FICCI. With over 10,000 delegates from more than 90 countries, over 300 companies, and more than 1,000 creators participating, WAVES 2025 stands as Asia’s largest and most ambitious entertainment summit to date.
India’s Orange Economy: A Game Changer in the M&E Sector
WAVES 2025 is not just another conference; it is a strategic initiative to tap into India’s rapidly growing influence in creative industries such as cinema, animation, music, gaming, digital content, and emerging technologies. In his keynote address, Prime Minister Modi described the event as the “dawn of India’s Orange Economy,” highlighting the M&E sector’s immense potential to contribute to India’s national GDP and job creation. He emphasized that India is transitioning from a content consumer to a global content creator, with Indian stories and artistic talent now holding worldwide appeal.
Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, echoed these sentiments by declaring that India’s media industry is set to soar to $100 billion. This bold statement reinforces India’s ambition to become a central hub in the global entertainment and media landscape.
Star-Studded Inauguration and Cultural Extravaganza
The summit’s opening was nothing short of a star-studded affair. Legendary film icons such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, and Mohanlal graced the event, alongside Bollywood luminaries like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor. A mesmerizing performance by international music sensation Alan Walker, coupled with India’s own musical legends A.R. Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal, and Shankar Mahadevan, marked the opening with a stunning fusion of technology and tradition.
Showcasing India’s Creative Evolution: The Bharat Pavilion
The venue, spanning 15,000 square meters, has been transformed into a vibrant celebration of storytelling, technology, and global collaboration. One of the standout attractions is the “Bharat Pavilion,” a grand tribute to India’s creative evolution, themed “Kala to Code.” This exhibit beautifully encapsulates how Indian storytelling has evolved from ancient art forms to cutting-edge digital experiences, illustrating the country’s rich heritage and its tech-driven future.
Immersive Experiences: The Creatosphere and WAVES Bazaar
Another major highlight of WAVES 2025 is the “Creatosphere,” a creative experience zone dedicated to virtual reality, gaming, visual effects (VFX), animation, and comics. Here, visitors can dive into immersive exhibits, test interactive demos, and explore the technology behind today’s top films and video games.
The “WAVES Bazaar” has emerged as a global marketplace where content buyers and sellers from around the world can strike deals, build partnerships, and exchange ideas. Additionally, “The Viewing Room” offers screenings of the latest and unreleased projects, giving creators a platform to connect with international distributors and producers.
Global Media Dialogue: Shaping the Future of Content
WAVES 2025 is not just a celebration of creative brilliance but also a platform for shaping the future of the media industry. The “Global Media Dialogue” brings together ministerial representatives from over 25 countries, industry experts, CEOs, and policymakers to discuss international cooperation on content regulation, distribution rights, co-productions, and technology sharing. Masterclasses, competitions, and roundtable discussions are focusing on topics such as AI in media and the economics of streaming platforms.
Day 1 Highlights: Exploring India’s Narrative Identity
Day 1 of the summit featured impactful sessions like “Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul” and “The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends,” where cultural leaders and storytellers delved into India’s narrative identity in a global context. The day concluded with a magnificent orchestral performance led by Academy Award-winning composer M.M. Keeravaani, blending classical instruments with futuristic visual art displays, leaving attendees in awe.
A Platform for All: Access for Business Visitors, Students, and Media
WAVES 2025 has been designed to accommodate a wide variety of attendees. The event offers different access levels, including Business Visitor Passes, Public Passes, Student Passes (available free of cost), and Media Passes. With thousands of attendees expected each day, security and logistics have been ramped up across the Jio World Centre and the surrounding areas to ensure smooth operations.
India’s Bold Vision: Leading the Global Content Revolution
WAVES 2025 is more than just an event; it’s a declaration of India’s intent to lead the global media and entertainment revolution. As the creative sector is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the global narrative economy, India’s stories, talent, and innovations are now ready to take center stage.
With initiatives like WAVES 2025, India is positioning itself not only as a key player in the global media industry but as its leader. The country’s media and entertainment sector is on the brink of a transformative leap forward, and events like WAVES 2025 are set to solidify this position on the global stage.
