5 May, India
WAVES Summit 2025, held in Mumbai, brought together global leaders in media and entertainment to celebrate India’s creative economy.
India Demonstrates Global Leadership in Media and Entertainment
WAVES 2025 is targeted to take India’s media and entertainment industry on the world map, highlighting the country’s capabilities in content development, technological ingenuity, and cultural storytelling. The summit featured a rich mix of sessions, exhibitions, and competitions to promote collaboration and highlight India’s creative abilities.
The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which took place from May 1 to 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, was a major milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a media and entertainment hub globally. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), organized the summit, which saw the convergence of industry captains, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from more than 130 nations.
Witness celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar, Hema Malini, Mohanlal, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, SS Rajamouli, Chiranjeevi, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, among many others.
The WAVES Bazaar saw business deals worth over one thousand three hundred crore rupees with creators and filmmakers from across the country. During the summit, the WAVES declaration was adopted by representatives of 77 countries at the Global Media Dialogue. The cultural programmes during the four-day summit mesmerised the audience, which highlighted India’s vast artistic diversity through traditional folk dances, martial arts displays and vibrant drumming performances.
The session was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Thursday, the panel discussion titled ‘Legends & Legacies:
He talks extensively about the content made in India and the capability of the content creators to lead India to an economic boom. PM Modi also promised further initiatives like the Waves award in the future.
PM Modi said, WAVES 2025 is the first-of-its-kind summit. The Summit features 42 plenary sessions,39 breakout sessions, and 32 master classes spanning diverse sectors, including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC- XR, Films, and digital media.
The Stories that Shaped India’s Soul’ saw Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi, and the session was moderated by Akshay Kumar.
The next session, was on the topic ‘The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends’ moderated by filmmaker Karan Johar and director SS Rajamouli, music composer AR Rahman, and actors Anil Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.
Karan Johar started a discussion on the international influence of cinema and how the North-South collaboration can define the future of cinema in India.
Karan Johar asked Kareena Kapoor in the course of the discussion why she has never pursued Hollywood while her other contemporaries made efforts.
“Chasing is not in my nature. If it is destined to happen, it will happen. I do know, times are changing. Who knows, a Hindi-English film will take place. Even Steven Spielberg is observing our Hindi movies. So, you never know,” replied Kareena Kapoor.
Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone were present at a session named The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler. It was moderated by Karan Johar.
Shah Rukh Khan, in his unique style, addressed the gathering, dispelling the illusion that he has ever been “lonely on top”. Shah Rukh Khan disclosed that he is not “serious” back home as his kids find him “amusing”.
He added, “You know you’re questioned whether it’s lonely at the top. I would just like to say to everyone here, those who are young and have children, even those who are my age and have children. You will never be lonely if you can make your children laugh, and those who don’t have children, if you can make your parents laugh, will never be lonely.”
(My children find me so humorous), that even when I reprimand or attempt to correct them. I also reprimanded Deepika during the shoot of Om Shanti Om. What I say, like listen, you need to sleep at 10 or something. What do they do? Oh my god, SRK. So, I became a joke in my household.” Shah Rukh Khan won over the audience with his style and swag.
Zupee, India’s premier skill-based gaming platform, was in the limelight at the WAVES Summit when gaming industry innovators came together to highlight India’s rise as a global gaming superpower. Representing Zupee, Director of Public Policy Ravi Shankar Jha shared perspectives on how gaming is transforming India’s digital economy and storytelling culture.
The summit was appreciated by Indian film personalities, like Anil Kapoor, Ektaa Kapoor, and Prasoon Joshi, who appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global hub for film and entertainment.
With its successful implementation, WAVES 2025 has created a benchmark for subsequent editions, reiterating India’s resolve to drive innovation, collaboration, and growth in the international media and entertainment industry.
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