Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 1: Global icon Priyanka Chopra expressed her deep appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for spearheading the World Audiovisual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which commenced on Thursday in Mumbai. In a video message posted on her official Instagram, Chopra hailed the event as a “historic” and “bold step” that places India firmly on the global entertainment map.
“For the first time ever, India is hosting the World Audiovisual and Entertainment Summit, WAVES, in Mumbai. This isn’t just another conference—WAVES is India’s bold step onto the world stage,” she said.
The summit, running from May 1 to May 4 at iconic venues including the Jio World Centre and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), is a landmark celebration of India’s storytelling heritage, creative economy, and digital innovation. The grand inauguration, led by Prime Minister Modi, will feature a 50-piece orchestra directed by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani.
With over 10,000 participants, the summit brings together more than 1,000 creators, 350 startups, 300 global organisations, and delegates from over 90 countries, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind.
Crediting PM Modi’s leadership, Chopra said, “Thanks to the vision of our esteemed Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, and the incredible support of the various ministries, media, entertainment, and the creator economy are finally being recognised as vital industries.”
She added, “India’s diverse industries—from cinema to gaming to tech—are all coming together. WAVES is a bridge from our timeless storytelling traditions to the future of global entertainment. India’s always had the talent and the culture. Now we have the platform.”
Despite being busy filming her upcoming global project with director SS Rajamouli, Chopra emphasized her hopes that WAVES 2025 would mark a pivotal moment for India’s creative industries on the international stage.
Bollywood’s biggest names including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, and Rajinikanth also graced the opening of the summit, showing their solidarity with the movement to elevate India’s global entertainment presence.