India Unveils Global Creative Vision at WAVES 2025 Summit in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025, the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre, marking a historic step in India’s journey to becoming a global creative powerhouse. The summit brought together artists, investors, innovators, and policymakers from over 100 countries, making it a truly global celebration of storytelling, content creation, and cultural collaboration.

Addressing the audience, PM Modi highlighted that WAVES is more than an acronym—it represents a wave of culture, creativity, and universal connectivity. He emphasized that in a world hungry for compelling narratives, India offers an endless reservoir of stories that span centuries, communities, and cultures. “India is not just a nation of over a billion people,” he said, “it is a land of over a billion stories.”

The Prime Minister called on creators across the world to “dream big and tell your story,” and encouraged global investors to invest not only in platforms but in the creative potential of people. For India’s youth, his message was clear: this is the time to tell your untold stories to the world.

Modi reflected on the birth of Indian cinema, referencing Dadasaheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra released in 1913. He spoke about the global influence of Indian legends like Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray, A.R. Rahman, and S.S. Rajamouli, who have taken Indian storytelling to international stages, from Cannes to the Oscars. He underscored that Indian cinema, with its emotional depth and spiritual roots, continues to shape how the world sees India.

The summit also featured innovative initiatives like the Creators Challenge and Creatosphere, which attracted nearly one lakh creative professionals from 60 countries. Out of 32 challenges, 800 finalists were selected. Modi praised their talent and said they represent the future of India’s creative economy.

Highlighting India’s strong foundation in art and culture, the Prime Minister explained that storytelling is deeply embedded in the Indian way of life. From lullabies sung by mothers to ancient dramas like Abhijnana-Shakuntalam, creativity has always shaped Indian identity. Every village, river, and mountain in India holds its own story, he added, pointing to the rich diversity of folk traditions across the country.

Modi also connected India’s creative journey with its spiritual essence. He cited mythological symbols like Shiva’s Damru and Krishna’s flute to show how music and sound have always carried divine meaning in Indian tradition. WAVES 2025, he said, is not just a showcase of modern creativity, but a bridge between the ancient and the contemporary.

The Prime Minister introduced the concept of the “Orange Economy,” built on three pillars: content, creativity, and culture. He stated that the global demand for Indian content is rapidly increasing, with Indian films now being watched in over 100 countries. India’s OTT sector has grown tenfold, and micro screens today are delivering mega messages, he noted.

India’s fast-growing animation and graphics sector, part of the larger AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) industry, was also spotlighted. Modi said this sector, currently part of a $430 billion global market, presents a massive opportunity for Indian creators. He encouraged stakeholders to leverage WAVES to expand their global reach.

He also spoke about how the government supports the creative sector through Skill India, startup initiatives, AVGC policies, and international platforms like WAVES. “Creativity meets coding, storytelling merges with software, and art joins hands with augmented reality,” he said, describing the convergence of technology and imagination.

Calling on young creators from every corner of India—from musicians in Guwahati to podcasters in Kochi—Modi affirmed the government’s commitment to nurturing a thriving creative economy. He said India’s youth are shaping a new cultural wave, one that reflects the country’s diverse and dynamic spirit.

The Prime Minister stressed the role of creative responsibility in today’s tech-driven world. As technology accelerates, he said, creativity must ensure that emotional and cultural sensibilities are preserved. Art, music, and storytelling, he emphasized, are essential in maintaining human empathy and compassion.

Finally, Modi reiterated that India’s rise as a creative leader is just beginning. With WAVES serving as a platform for global collaboration, India is poised to become a central hub for content creation. He announced the upcoming WAVES Awards, set to become one of the most prestigious honors in the world of art and creativity.

As WAVES 2025 concluded its inaugural edition, it was clear that India had made a bold declaration to the world: the age of Indian creativity is here—and it’s here to lead.

Source: PIB