Mumbai, May 1, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, calling on the global entertainment industry to tap into India’s rich storytelling legacy and vibrant creative ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch of the four-day summit, themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” Modi emphasized that India is poised to become a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation. “This is the right time to create in India, create for the world,” he said, highlighting the country’s centuries-old tradition of storytelling that spans culture, science, sports, and fiction.
The Prime Minister described WAVES as more than an acronym — a “real wave” of cultural and creative energy connecting the world. He noted that the platform brings together creators, industry leaders, startups, and policymakers to promote collaboration across film, music, gaming, animation, and other creative domains.
Marking the 112th anniversary of India’s first motion picture, Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke, Modi paid tribute to iconic Indian artists like Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, AR Rahman, and S.S. Rajamouli, saying they brought Indian culture to the global stage.
Reaffirming India’s openness and pluralistic ethos, Modi said the nation has historically welcomed diverse communities and celebrated global artistic achievements. Citing the 150-nation rendition of “Vaishnav Jan To” during Mahatma Gandhi’s anniversary, he noted the power of creative collaboration in uniting the world.
Modi also outlined the growing significance of the Orange Economy — driven by content, creativity, and culture — as a key contributor to India’s GDP. To further honor excellence in arts and innovation, he announced the upcoming WAVES Awards, which he said would become among the most prestigious recognitions in the global creative industry.
“The world is looking for new narratives, and India has an infinite reservoir of them. It’s time we share our stories with the world,” he concluded, urging international investors and creators to make India their creative playground.
