India is hosting the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 from May 1 to 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This landmark event aims to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and technology, bringing together industry leaders, creators, and innovators from around the world.

Key Highlighst

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025, emphasizing the role of India's creative talent in shaping the nation's "Orange Economy." He highlighted the contributions of musicians, podcasters, game designers, and filmmakers across the country in driving India's growing creative sector.
• The summit features over 100 leading exhibitors, including global giants like Netflix, Amazon, Google, Meta, Sony, and Indian powerhouses such as Reliance, Tata, Balaji Telefilms, Dharma Productions, Saregama, and Yash Raj Films.
• Notable personalities like Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, and Allu Arjun are also participating.
• The 1,470 square meter Bharat Pavilion, themed "Kala to Code," showcases India's storytelling evolution through four zones: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti, and Creator’s Leap. It traces the journey from ancient oral traditions to modern digital narratives.
• WAVES 2025 includes 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses covering sectors like broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality), films, and digital media.
• The Indian government announced a $1 billion fund to boost the creator economy, aiming to provide creators with access to capital, skill development, and global market reach.

WAVES 2025 serves as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and cultural exchange, reinforcing India's position in the global media and entertainment landscape. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the summit aims to chart a $50 billion future for India's creative economy by 2029.