Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, billionaire Mukesh Ambani and superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Rajinikanth were among the luminaries who kicked off India’s inaugural WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) conference in Mumbai on Thursday.
The event is India’s effort to position itself at the epicenter of global storytelling and screen innovation. It drew representatives from 90 countries and over 10,000 delegates to Mumbai, reflecting what Ambani, chair of Reliance Industries, which operates the country’s largest streamer – JioHotstar – called the spirit of a new India determined to surpass global standards.
Modi’s presence, despite recent security challenges following what Ambani referenced as “the barbaric terror attack,” in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, underscored the government’s commitment to establishing India’s creative industries as a strategic national priority.
“The foundation of a global ecosystem of global talent and creativity is being laid here, in the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit,” Modi said. “This is not a superficial acronym, it is actually a wave.”
Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of the state of Maharashtra of which Mumbai – home to Bollywood – is the capital, emphasized the economic stakes: “Let me be clear, the entertainment economy is the new development engine for Maharashtra and India today. Content travels faster than any commodity, and culture is the most significant export of any nation in the digital era.”
The state government announced ambitious infrastructure plans, including a revamped 500-acre Film City and a new 120-acre Media and Entertainment City focused on animation, visual effects, and gaming, with Fadnavis promising “tangible results in the next few months.”
Ambani projected that India’s media and entertainment industry, currently valued at approximately $28 billion, “can grow to over $100 billion in the next decade,” adding that “this growth will drive entrepreneurship, generate millions of jobs and create a ripple effect across all sectors.”
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who introduced the event as “a global platform and catalyst for creators, innovators, disruptors and dreamers at the confluence of art and technology,” described WAVES as “a movement inspired by the visionary leadership of our honorable Prime Minister” that aims to position India “at the forefront of the global audio visual and entertainment economy.”
“RRR” director S.S. Rajamouli said: “Storytelling is in our DNA. No country in the world comes even closer to India in terms of having this rich, vibrant culture of storytelling, but yet, on an international stage, we are not on par with the United States or China or Japan or South Korea or many other countries. I have no doubt in our firepower. What we lack is a launchpad. I sincerely hope and wish that WAVES is that launchpad.”
South Indian cinema icon Rajinikanth expressed confidence in Modi’s leadership, stating, “He is a fighter. He will meet any challenge,” while extending his “support and cooperation fully” to the initiative.
The summit arrives at a pivotal moment as emerging technologies reshape global entertainment. Ambani highlighted this intersection: “The fusion of storytelling and digital technologies is again unique to India. It has amplified the impact and the reach of entertainment and cultural experiences beyond imagination. The tools of AI and immersive technologies can make our stories more captivating than ever before.”
Speakers at the inauguration included India’s Information and Broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, actors Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Hema Malini, Ranbir Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Bhumi Pednekar, Nagarjuna, Kartik Aaryan and Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, who also participated in a CEO roundtable chaired by Modi, with several captains of industry taking part, including Sony Group Corporation president and CEO Hiroki Totoki.
The event began with a musical performance led by composer M.M. Keeravani, Oscar winner for “RRR.”
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