Mumbai, May 1: Celebrated filmmaker Boney Kapoor lauded the Indian and Maharashtra governments for their unified support at the launch of WAVES 2025, India’s first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Jio World Convention Centre.
“It is a fantastic initiative,” Kapoor said. “We had PM Narendra Modi’s encouragement. The entire government and the Maharashtra government are backing it. It’s a great move to boost the entertainment industry.”
Kapoor also praised the summit’s respectful acknowledgment of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, stating it was important for global participants to understand India’s sentiments.
PM Modi’s Vision: A Global Stage for Indian Creativity
In his keynote address, PM Modi emphasized India’s storytelling heritage, saying:
“India, with a billion-plus population, is also a land of a billion-plus stories and storytellers… This is the perfect time to ‘Create in India and Create for the World.’”
Highlighting the country’s cultural depth, Modi added:
“Every street, river, and mountain in India carries a tale… even our music is a spiritual narrative.”
WAVES 2025: A Historic Cultural Milestone
WAVES 2025 aims to cement India’s status as a global powerhouse in media, entertainment, and digital innovation, under the theme: “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries.”
Summit Highlights:
- Over 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300 companies, 350 startups from 90+ countries
- Global Media Dialogue (GMD): Ministerial presence from 25 nations
- WAVES Bazaar: e-marketplace with 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, 2,100 projects
- Creatosphere: Top talent from “Create in India” challenges (1 lakh+ participants)
- Bharat Pavilion: A showcase of India’s creative innovation and heritage
Star-Studded Cultural Opening
The summit opened with a spectacular ceremony at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC):
- MM Keeravaani conducted a 50-piece orchestra
- Shreya Ghoshal delivered a moving musical performance
- Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan, Rajinikanth, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone welcomed global guests
WAVES 2025 is set to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, establishing India as a leader in the global creative economy.