As the sun rises over Mumbai’s iconic skyline, the Jio World Convention Centre is crackling with energy — WAVES Summit 2025 is well and truly in motion. From May 1 to May 4, the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit — the first of its kind — is drawing the world’s gaze to India’s vibrant creative pulse. Organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), WAVES is not just a summit; it is a bold declaration of India’s emergence as a global nerve centre of media, entertainment, and digital storytelling.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit on May 1, setting the tone with a poetic and powerful address. Calling WAVES a “wave of culture, creativity, film, music, gaming, and storytelling,” the Prime Minister urged artists and innovators to seize this moment of transformation: “This is the right time to create in India, and create for the world.”
The event, already brimming with global energy, has brought together a remarkable gathering — over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 350 startups, and 300 companies from more than 100 countries — all under one roof, sharing ideas, forging partnerships, and envisioning a future where India is not merely a participant in the global creative economy, but its very heartbeat.
As the world tunes in, WAVES is revealing its many layers, from high-stakes discussions on policy and production to intimate conversations between filmmakers, investors, and digital visionaries. Public sessions on May 3 and 4 are expected to witness a cultural cross-pollination like never before, with content creators, producers, foreign diplomats, visual artists, and industry leaders holding forth on everything from streaming trends to AI in storytelling.
The Global Media Dialogue, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, stands out as a marquee session, where diplomacy meets digital, and soft power is reimagined for a multipolar world. With participants ranging from Hollywood producers to regional media entrepreneurs, it’s a melting pot of perspectives, proof that storytelling today is the world’s most potent currency.
One of the most anticipated features of WAVES 2025 is the spotlight on India’s booming gaming industry. Nazara Publishing is set to make major announcements, including updates on the much-hyped FAU-G sequel, while Tara Gaming will unveil the trailer for its ambitious title The Age of Bhaarat, promising a uniquely Indian narrative experience for global audiences.
As the days unfold, so does the diversity of India’s cultural prowess. PM Modi paid homage to Indian cinema’s timeless contribution — from Raj Kapoor’s popularity in Russia, to Satyajit Ray’s recognition at Cannes, and RRR’s thunderous success at the Oscars. “Our Gods, too, express themselves through dance and song,” he quipped, deftly reminding the audience that performance is etched into the very soul of Indian heritage.
At its core, WAVES 2025 is about more than entertainment — it is about narrative sovereignty, about shaping how the world sees India and how India sees itself. It marks the dawn of what the Prime Minister rightly termed the “Orange Economy” — a future in which creativity is not just celebrated but systematically nurtured as a pillar of national development.
And as the summit enters its most dynamic phase with public sessions, networking exchanges, and media showcases, the atmosphere is electric. The air hums with possibility. Partnerships are being forged in the corridors. A Netflix executive is seen in a deep discussion with an indie filmmaker. A diplomat from Latin America pauses to admire a digital installation by a young visual artist from Kerala.
Indeed, the waves have just begun.
Leave a Reply