Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s maiden World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre on Thursday, heralding a new era for the creative economy. The event, attended by artists, policymakers, and industry leaders from over 100 countries, aims to position India as a global hub for films, music, gaming, and animation.
Addressing the gathering on Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Statehood Day, PM Modi celebrated India’s cinematic heritage, noting the 112th anniversary of Raja Harishchandra (1913), India’s first feature film. He highlighted milestones like Raj Kapoor’s Russian acclaim, Satyajit Ray’s Cannes recognition, and RRR’s Oscar win, emphasising how Indian storytelling resonates globally. The summit also honoured cinematic legends through commemorative stamps.
Reflecting on projects like Gandhi 150—where artists from 150 countries performed Vaishnav Jan To—PM Modi underscored the power of cultural diplomacy. WAVES builds on this vision, with its Creators Challenge attracting 100,000 participants from 60 nations; 800 finalists were recognised for innovation. The PM praised the WAVES Bazaar, a marketplace linking creators with global buyers, as a "game-changer for emerging talent."
Declaring this the "dawn of India’s Orange Economy" (content, creativity, culture), PM Modi cited India’s OTT sector’s 10x growth, 100+ country film releases, and the $430 billion global animation market as opportunities. "While screens shrink, our stories carry mega messages," he remarked, urging young creators—from Guwahati’s musicians to Bengaluru’s game designers—to "dream big" with government support via Skill India and AVGC policies.
The PM stressed "creative responsibility" to counter tech-driven dehumanisation, urging artists to preserve emotional depth through music, dance, and storytelling. He announced future WAVES Awards to honour global excellence and called for international collaboration: "To creators: Tell your stories. To investors: Bet on people. To India’s youth: Share our billion untold stories."
Dignitaries including Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar attended the inaugural session.
Full text of PM’s address at the WAVES Summit in Mumbai
Today is Maharashtra's Foundation Day. Heartiest congratulations to all brothers and sisters of this land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Maharashtra Din!
Today is also Gujarat's Foundation Day. Warm wishes to all Gujarati brothers and sisters across the world on Gujarat Sthapana Divas!
To all dignitaries present at the WAVES Summit: Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, My Cabinet colleagues Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Shri L. Murugan, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde and Shri Ajit Pawar, Luminaries from the global creative world. Ministers of Information, Communication, Art, and Culture from various nations, Ambassadors, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, today, Mumbai has united artists, innovators, investors, and policymakers from over 100 countries under one roof. This gathering marks the foundation of a global ecosystem for talent and creativity. The World Audio-Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is not just an acronym—it represents a wave of culture, creativity, and universal connection. This wave carries films, music, gaming, animation, storytelling, and boundless creativity. WAVES is a global platform for every artist and creator, where fresh ideas meet the creative world. I congratulate and welcome all of you for this historic launch.
Friends,
Today, 1st May, marks 112 years since India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, released on 3rd May 1913. Its maker, Dadasaheb Phalke, was celebrated just yesterday on his birth anniversary. Over the past century, Indian cinema has taken India to the world—be it Raj Kapoor’s fame in Russia, Satyajit Ray’s acclaim at Cannes, or RRR’s Oscar success. From Guru Dutt’s cinematic poetry to Ritwik Ghatak’s social reflections, from A.R. Rahman’s melodies to Rajamouli’s epics, every story has carried India’s cultural voice to millions. Today, at WAVES, we honour Indian cinema’s legends through commemorative stamps.
Friends,
In recent years, I’ve engaged with gaming, music, filmmaking, and screen artists. These discussions often highlighted India’s creative potential and global collaboration. One experiment stood out: During Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, artists from 150 countries sang Vaishnav Jan To, his favourite hymn. This 500-year-old composition by Narsinh Mehta became a global unifier. Many here contributed to that movement. WAVES is the culmination of such collective imagination.
Friends,
Like the sunrise paints the sky, this summit has shone from its first moment. WAVES has captivated the world in its debut edition. Our advisory board’s efforts are evident. Initiatives like the Creators Challenge and Creatosphere engaged 1 lakh creatives from 60 countries, with 800 finalists across 32 challenges. To all finalists: This is your moment to shine globally.
Friends,
I’m eager to visit the India Pavilion and WAVES Bazaar, an innovative marketplace connecting creators with buyers—a brilliant idea to empower new talent.
Friends,
A child’s life begins with a mother’s lullaby—their first connection to sound and music. Similarly, the creative world weaves dreams for generations. WAVES aims to unite such dreamers.
Friends,
From the Red Fort, I’ve spoken of collective effort. Today, I’m confident WAVES will scale new heights. The industry’s support must continue. Future editions will introduce the WAVES Awards, set to become creativity’s most prestigious honour. Together, we’ll win hearts worldwide.
Friends,
India, now the third-largest economy, leads in fintech adoption and mobile manufacturing, and hosts the third-largest startup ecosystem. But beyond numbers, India is a billion-plus stories. From Bharata Muni’s Natyashastra (2000 years ago) to Kalidasa’s Abhijnanashakuntalam, every village here has folk tales, songs, and storytelling traditions. Our music—whether bhajans, ghazals, classical, or contemporary—carries soul and narrative.
Friends,
India’s orange economy (content, creativity, culture) is rising. Indian films now release in 100+ countries, with global audiences using subtitles. OTT growth has surged 10x. Screens may shrink, but impact expands. As Indian cuisine wins hearts worldwide, so will our music.
Friends,
To young creators—musicians in Guwahati, podcasters in Kochi, game designers in Bengaluru, filmmakers in Punjab—you’re driving India’s creative wave. The government supports you through Skill India, startup policies, and platforms like WAVES, where coding meets storytelling, and art merges with augmented reality. Dream big.
Friends,
In this tech-driven century, creative responsibility is vital. We must preserve human emotions against robotic automation. WAVES can counter dehumanising narratives and nurture sensitivity through art.
Friends,
Technology has opened skies for creativity, demanding global coordination. WAVES will connect: Creators with global storytellers, Animators with visionaries,Gamers with champions
To global investors: Make India your content playground. To creators: Dream big. Tell your story. To Indian youth: Share our billion untold stories with the world! I extend my best wishes for WAVES’ inaugural summit. Thank you.
Namaskar.
