Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025, India’s inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai, coinciding with Maharashtra Day and Gujarat Statehood Day. He welcomed international dignitaries and highlighted the gathering of artists, innovators, investors, and policymakers from over 100 countries, marking a significant step towards establishing a global talent and creativity ecosystem. PM Modi described WAVES as a representation of culture, creativity, and connectivity, showcasing the realms of film, music, gaming, animation, and storytelling, thus offering a collaborative platform for artists.
Reflecting on India’s cinematic heritage, he reminisced about the release of the first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1913, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke. He celebrated the global impact of Indian cinema, mentioning icons like Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray, and the Oscar-winning film RRR. The contributions of artists such as Guru Dutt and A.R. Rahman, who have enriched Indian culture globally, were also acknowledged.
Highlighting India’s creative potential,PM Modi referenced engagements with professionals across creative sectors and recalled an initiative during Gandhi’s 150th birthday, where singers from 150 nations performed a classical hymn together. He emphasized that the synergy of India’s creative industry with international collaboration is epitomized by the WAVES summit, which reflects this collective strength and vision for the future.
PM Modi celebrated the inaugural success of the WAVES Summit, noting its global impact and purposeful mission. He commended the Advisory Board for their efforts in establishing WAVES as a significant event in the creative sector. Modi highlighted the extensive Creators Challenge and Creatosphere initiative, which engaged around 100,000 creative professionals from 60 countries. From 32 challenges, 800 finalists were selected, and he congratulated them on their achievements, encouraging them to make their presence known on the global stage.
He expressed excitement about the creative innovations presented at the Bharat Pavilion during the summit and anticipated experiencing these creations personally. Modi praised the WAVES Bazaar initiative for its potential to foster new talent and connect them with growing markets, stating that such initiatives bolster the creative economy and open new avenues for artists.
Drawing from the intrinsic link between creativity and human experience, he reflected on a child’s first introduction to sound through a mother’s lullaby, likening this to the role of creative professionals who shape cultural dreams. Modi emphasized the importance of collective efforts from artists and industry leaders to further elevate WAVES in future editions. He announced the forthcoming WAVES Awards as a prestigious recognition within the art world and stressed a continued commitment to inspire generations through creativity.
During the WAVES Summit, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India’s rapid economic growth, projecting the nation as the world’s third-largest economy. He underscored India’s leadership in global fintech adoption, its position as the second-largest mobile manufacturer, and the development of the third-largest startup ecosystem. He emphasized that India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation has just begun and is rich with potential, encapsulating the spirit of its billion-plus population through countless stories.
Referencing India’s artistic heritage, he recalled Bharata Muni’s Natya Shastra, which highlighted the emotional power of art, and Kalidasa’s Abhijnana-Shakuntalam, which transformed classical drama. He noted that every street, mountain, and river possesses cultural narratives, with six lakh villages contributing distinct folk traditions. PM Modi emphasized the spiritual essence of Indian music, with each genre, from bhajans to contemporary tunes, embodying deep stories.
He also mentioned the concept of Naad Brahma, the divine sound, in Indian mythology, citing symbols like Lord Shiva’s Damru and Goddess Saraswati’s Veena. Declaring it a pivotal moment for India, he reiterated the vision of “Create in India, Create for the World,” advocating for the sharing of India’s rich storytelling traditions—spanning themes of culture, science, and heroism—through innovative formats on the global stage.
Drawing connections between the People’s Padma awards and the WAVES Summit, the Prime Minister noted that both initiatives aim to celebrate and uplift talent from all regions of India. He pointed out that while the Padma Awards began shortly after independence, their essence transformed with the introduction of the People’s Padma, which acknowledges contributions from remote areas, turning the awards into a nationwide celebration. Similarly, he expressed that WAVES will act as a global platform showcasing India’s diverse creative talents in film, music, animation, and gaming, enabling artists from every part of the nation to receive international recognition.
Highlighting India’s rich tradition of embracing diverse ideas and cultures, the Prime Minister quoted a Sanskrit saying to illustrate the civilizational openness that has allowed communities such as the Parsis and Jews to thrive as integral parts of Indian culture. He acknowledged the presence of diplomats from various countries, noting each nation’s unique successes and contributions. He reiterated India’s strength in respecting global artistic achievements and reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to creative collaboration. The Prime Minister emphasized that by producing content that reflects diverse cultural accomplishments, WAVES can enhance global connectivity and facilitate artistic exchange. He invited the international creative community to engage with India’s stories, promising a wealth of narratives waiting to be discovered.
