The ‘World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit’ (WAVES) will be held at the Jio World Centre in BKC from May 1 to 4. The event, hosted by the Maharashtra government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1. Modi, along with key leaders including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, will attend the summit.
Speaking at a press conference, Industry Minister Uday Samant said that Mumbai, an international city and the hub of Hindi and Marathi cinema, is a leading center for India’s entertainment sector. He highlighted that Maharashtra has been the top destination for foreign investment over the past three years, consistently maintaining its leadership in the industrial sector. From a tourism perspective, Maharashtra is now competing with countries on a global level. Samant added that the aim of the ‘WAVES’ is to showcase Maharashtra’s tourist destinations internationally. He also noted that the Central government’s decision to host the summit in Mumbai aligns with the goal of promoting Maharashtra’s culture worldwide.
Ministers and senior officials from 33 countries, along with CEOs from 120 international companies, will be attending the event. Several prominent actors and producers from Bollywood, Tollywood, and the Marathi film industry will also participate.
During the four-day event, pavilions for India, Maharashtra, Telangana and other organisations will be set up. The event will include discussions across various sectors, roundtable conferences, and cultural programs. Notably, on the third day, May 3, a musical performance by AR Rahman will be held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
