The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, initiated by PM Narendra Modi, is a big step towards making India a global leader in media and entertainment. WAVES 2025 takes place from May 1 to 4, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. It unites more than 10,000 delegates from over 90 nations.
They comprise great creators, tech innovators, and leaders from the government. The summit addresses critical domains such as animation, gaming, digital media, and cinema. It is also a platform for global collaboration and cross-cultural exchange. More critically, it helps the development of India’s creative economy.
WAVES 2025 is not an isolated dream. India is targeting by 2029 an opportunity worth $50 billion in the media and entertainment space.
What is WAVES Summit?
WAVES is a once-a-year global festival centered around animation, gaming, digital content, and cinema. It’s not just an exhibition. It’s where producers, creators, and industry heads gather to share and work together.
Furthermore, it establishes India as a leading international media business destination. It thereby constructs a vibrant and diverse environment for content makers and media professionals.
Why is This Summit Importance?
WAVES 2025 is significant for a number of reasons:
- First, it puts the spotlight on India’s thriving creative economy.
- Second, it promotes global collaborations in content production and distribution.
- Third, it opens up economic opportunities. The event aligns with India’s vision of tapping into a $50 billion market by 2029.
- Lastly, it showcases India’s cultural diversity and storytelling heritage.
What Did PM Modi Say?
In the inauguration, PM Modi described WAVES 2025 as a bold and visionary move. He commended it for bringing global storytellers, technology leaders, and policymakers together. He also mentioned the abiding storytelling heritage of India that is thousands of years old.
PM Modi invited creators to “dream big and tell your story.” Moreover, he introduced the WAVES Awards — now destined to become India’s highest-esteemed awards in arts and creativity.
Who are the Visitors?
WAVES 2025 welcomes a prestigious delegation of VIPs, which befits the world-class appeal of the summit as well as industry relevance. Movie legends from film include Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Hema Malini, Chiranjeevi, and Rajinikanth.
In the technology sector, pioneering leaders Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai share their international expertise at the summit. Contributing to its stature, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are the government’s unequivocal backing of India’s digital and creative economy.
Where Is It Taking Place?
WAVES 2025 is taking place at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai — India’s most cutting-edge and iconic global events venue. Situated in the city’s commercial center, the convention centre boasts world-class facilities, including state-of-the-art auditoria, exhibition halls, and networking lounges. Its contemporary architecture and flexible spaces also make it perfectly suited to hosting a high-profile event like WAVES, with its parallel sessions, high-profile keynotes, and interactive showcases.
In addition to functionality, the venue also represents Mumbai as the financial and creative capital of India. Consequently, not only does the space facilitate business interaction without interruption but also facilitates genuine cultural exchange on the global stage.
