A day after PM Narendra Modi on February 7 had a virtual meeting with the bigwigs of the Indian media and entertainment industry to discuss the inaugural WAVES event, Minister of Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said India was all set to become the ‘creative powerhouse of the world’.

Taking a cue from PM Modi, Vaisnaw wrote on X on Saturday: “India is laying the foundation for becoming the creative powerhouse of the world! #WAVES2025.

“Following an inspiring meeting of the Advisory Board with the PM @narendramodi Ji, the 1st World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) is levelling up to make India the global content hub! This summit will bring together the world’s top media CEOs, biggest entertainment icons, and creative minds from across the globe—unifying entertainment, creativity, and culture like never before!”

He added: “Mark your calendars. Pack your dreams. Get ready to ride the WAVES!”

The event, designed to be a unique melting pot for global M&E trends and economy, will be held in Mumbai’s Jio Convention Center from May 1-4

On February 7, PM Modi, who participated in a pre-WAVES advisory council meeting, had written on X: “Just concluded an extensive meeting of the Advisory Board of WAVES, the global summit that brings together the world of entertainment, creativity and culture.

“The members of the Advisory Board are eminent individuals from different walks of life, who not only reiterated their support but also shared valuable inputs on how to further enhance our efforts to make India a global entertainment hub.”

Though the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) is ably spearheading the WAVES project, various other government organisations like Invest India, and domestic (and international) industry bodies are also pitching in to make the event a success in its inaugural year.

Producer Ekta Kapoor, according to a PTI report yesterday, praised the PM for his vision behind the WAVES, saying she is excited to make her contribution to the initiative.

Ekta Kapoor, who was part of the extensive virtual meeting of the Advisory Board of WAVES last week, wrote on Instagram: “Your (PM’s) vision for India as a global entertainment hub is inspiring. We’re extremely excited to contribute and be a part of this journey.”

Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Mohanlal, Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, AR Rahman, Diljit Dosanjh, Akshay Kumar, Ranbir Kapoor, Shekhar Kapur, Deepika Padukone and Mithun Chakraborty, were other film celebrities who also attended the meeting virtually.

Anil Kapoor, while stating that he was honoured to be part of the Advisory Board of WAVES, said on X: “We had a very insightful discussion with fellow members and we look forward to working towards making India a global entertainment hub! @narendramodi @MIB_India @sjaju1.”

Kher called WAVES an “amazing initiative” and added, “It will positively make India – the global entertainment hub. Listening to your vision and the participation of other distinguished members of the board was a clear indication that India  will be the DAVOS of  entertainment and cultural field globally in few years! @AshwiniVaishnaw.”

“I have no doubts that #WAVES, the brain child of Shri Modi ji will Propel India’s ‘SOFT POWER’ to its deserving heights in the world. Brace for all the Excitement and breaking new grounds very soon!!” added Chiranjeevi.

The WAVES summit is being positioned by the government as India’s global event for the entertainment sector to what Davos is for the economic sector.