Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, calling it a transformative platform that brings together creators, storytellers, innovators, and policymakers from across the globe.

Addressing a packed auditorium of global delegates, PM Modi said, “Today, artists, innovators, investors, and policy makers from more than 100 nations have gathered under one roof. We are laying the foundation for a global ecosystem of talent and creativity. WAVES is such a global platform that belongs to every artist and creator.”

According to an ANI report, the four-day summit is themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” and seeks to position India as a central hub in the global creative economy. Encompassing cinema, OTT, animation, gaming, AVGC-XR technologies, artificial intelligence and more, WAVES 2025 aims to unlock a $50 billion opportunity for India’s media and entertainment sector by 2029.

Reflecting on India’s expanding cultural influence, PM Modi said, “In recent years, Indian cinema has succeeded in carrying the spirit of India to the farthest corners of the world. From Raj Kapoor’s legacy in Russia to Satyajit Ray’s brilliance at Cannes, and RRR’s triumph at the Oscars, these milestones speak volumes.” He added, “Whether it’s Guru Dutt’s poetic cinema, AR Rahman’s musical rhythms, or Rajamouli’s epic storytelling, these narratives have touched the hearts of millions. Just as a mother weaves dreams for her child, the creative world weaves the dreams of an entire era.”

A key highlight of WAVES 2025 is the inaugural Global Media Dialogue (GMD), where ministers and dignitaries from 25 countries will deliberate on fostering cross-border collaboration in creative industries. The summit also features the WAVES Bazaar — a massive digital marketplace hosting over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 creative projects. This is aimed at creating wide-ranging opportunities for networking and business across global creative sectors.

During his visit, PM Modi will also tour the Creatosphere — a vibrant showcase of selected talent from the 32 “Create in India Challenges” launched last year, which saw participation from over one lakh creators. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit the Bharat Pavilion, an immersive zone curated to reflect India’s rich storytelling traditions and cutting-edge digital innovation.

The grandeur of the event was underscored by a star-studded welcome at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), where Shah Rukh Khan opened the evening with a powerful address and Shreya Ghoshal captivated the audience with a soulful welcome song. The opening ceremony also included a live 50-piece orchestra conducted by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani, setting a mesmerising tone for the summit.

WAVES 2025 will continue till May 4 and includes 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses covering a spectrum of sectors like broadcasting, OTT, gaming, immersive media and more. The summit will see participation from superstars like Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Rajinikanth, among others.

With over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies and 350+ startups from more than 90 countries, WAVES 2025 marks a defining moment in India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub of media, entertainment and digital innovation.