PM Modi At WAVES 2025 Hails India As ‘Land Of A Billion Stories’

PM Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 today at the Jio World Convention Centre, calling it a landmark moment for India’s creative and cultural industries.

India Hosts First-Ever Global WAVES Summit

WAVES 2025, a four-day international summit themed ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’, is India’s first large-scale event dedicated to the audio-visual and entertainment sectors.

The summit aims to establish India as a global powerhouse in media, digital innovation, and storytelling.

PM Modi Highlights India’s Storytelling Legacy

In his keynote address, PM Modi captivated a global audience of artists, innovators, industry leaders, and policymakers from over 90 countries.

“India, with a billion-plus population, is also a land of a billion-plus stories and storytellers,” he said. “Every street, river, and mountain carries a tale. With over six lakh villages, each brings a fresh perspective.”

He emphasised India’s deep-rooted cultural richness, adding, “In India, even music is a form of spiritual practice. Every note tells a story; every rhythm has a soul. Whether it’s a devotional bhajan or a modern song, the sound of India holds a divine essence.”

Create In India, Create For The World: PM Modi

PM Modi encouraged the international creative community to explore India’s vast storytelling potential.

“This is the perfect time to ‘Create in India, and Create for the World.’ The world is seeking stories, and India offers a treasure trove, rich in science, fiction, courage, and imagination,” he said.

Global Creative Collaboration Takes Centre Stage At WAVES

WAVES 2025 brings together more than 10,000 delegates, including 1,000 creators, 300 companies, and 350 startups, spanning industries from film and OTT to AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality), comics, artificial intelligence, and broadcasting.

A major feature of the summit is the Global Media Dialogue (GMD), which India is hosting for the first time, with ministerial participation from 25 countries, fostering global collaboration in creative content.

WAVES Bazaar & Creatosphere Offer Global Opportunities

The summit also includes the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace connecting 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects.

The platform aims to drive international trade and partnerships in the creative sector.

PM Modi will visit the Creatosphere, a dynamic space showcasing winners of the ‘Create in India’ challenges, which attracted over 100,000 participants over the past year.

He will also tour the Bharat Pavilion, which highlights India’s artistic heritage and technological innovation.

Grand Opening Celebrates India’s Artistic Brilliance

The summit opened with a star-studded ceremony at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC).

• Singer Shreya Ghoshal performed a soulful welcome song.
• Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani led a 50-piece orchestra in a breathtaking musical performance.
• Superstar Shah Rukh Khan made a dramatic on-stage entry to welcome delegates.
• Celebrities including Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone were also present, underlining the summit’s star power.

A Vision For India’s Creative Future

With a clear vision to elevate India’s creative economy, WAVES 2025 aligns with the Prime Minister’s mission to promote India as a leader in global storytelling and innovation.

The event sets the stage for new partnerships, ideas, and cultural narratives that transcend borders.

Also Read: PM Modi Inaugurates WAVES 2025; Positions India As Global Creative Hub