WAVES 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) in Mumbai on Thursday, May 1. The four-day summit is a first-of-its-kind event in India that brings together top minds and talents from the world of media, films, and digital entertainment. The theme this year is “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries”, and the aim is to make India a global hub for creativity, innovation, and entertainment.
In his speech, PM Modi spoke about the importance of creativity and culture in today’s time and said, “We must protect our young generation from tendencies that go against human values.” He highlighted how the Indian entertainment industry plays a big role in soft power and global influence.
WAVES 2025 is truly a massive event. It will see participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and over 350 startups joining in. The summit will include 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout discussions, and 32 masterclasses across various creative fields like infotainment, broadcasting, films, digital media, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), and more.
The opening day was no less than a grand cultural celebration. Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani led a 30-member orchestra. The audience also enjoyed classical music by legends like Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Yella Venkateswara Rao, and Ronu Majumdar. Singers and artists like Shreya Ghoshal, Tetseo Sisters, KING x Alan Walker, and even veteran actor Anupam Kher added more colour with their performances. Folk dance skits and a special act called “Maharashtra Ki Lokdhara” celebrated the rich culture of the host state. A grand musical journey led by Shankar Mahadevan added a perfect touch to the opening ceremony.
Big Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, and Karan Johar are also expected to be part of the summit. The event will be full of meaningful discussions, fun experiences, and great entertainment, showing the world India’s creative spirit.
To honour legends of Indian cinema, PM Modi also launched special commemorative postage stamps. These stamps feature five iconic names — Guru Dutt, P. Bhanumathi, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, and Salil Chowdhury. The moment was a proud tribute to Indian cinema’s history and heritage.
Besides the Mumbai summit, PM Modi is also touring other parts of the country. On May 2, he will visit Kerala to inaugurate the Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport. Later in Andhra Pradesh’s Amaravati district, he will lay the foundation stones and launch development projects worth over ₹58,000 crore.
WAVES 2025 is not just a summit—it’s a celebration of India’s imagination, culture, and digital strength. With creators and innovators from across the globe joining hands, India is all set to lead the future of entertainment.
