Mumbai, May 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025 — the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit — in Mumbai, marking a historic moment for India’s creative industries. Calling India “a land of billion stories,” Modi celebrated the country’s rich heritage of storytelling, spanning from ancient epics to modern cinema.
A Cultural Tapestry Woven Through Time
Referencing the Natya Shastra, a 2,000-year-old Sanskrit treatise attributed to Bharata Muni, PM Modi emphasized the timeless role of art in shaping human emotions and society. “Every street in India has a story, every mountain sings, and every river hums a tune,” he said, evoking the power of folklore in the six lakh villages across the country.
Honoring the Pillars of Indian Cinema
Modi highlighted India’s journey from Dadasaheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra (1913) to globally recognized films like RRR and classics by Satyajit Ray and Raj Kapoor. He paid tribute to cinematic greats like Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak, A.R. Rahman, and S.S. Rajamouli, applauding their ability to carry “the soul of India” to audiences worldwide.
Global Collaboration and Creative Celebration
The Prime Minister praised the global outreach of the WAVES 2025 summit, stating that it had “roared with purpose.” Initiatives like the Creators Challenge and Creatosphere drew participation from over 100,000 creative professionals across 60 countries. Over 800 finalists were selected through 32 themed challenges that spanned film, music, gaming, and digital storytelling.
Bharat Pavilion & WAVES Bazaar: Empowering Emerging Artists
Modi lauded the Bharat Pavilion and WAVES Bazaar for providing vital platforms for emerging talent. These spaces, he said, are essential for connecting Indian creators with global markets and strengthening India’s creative economy.
Launching the WAVES Awards and Supporting Mentorship
In a major announcement, PM Modi introduced the WAVES Awards, envisioned to become the most prestigious global honors in the creative field. He also urged the entertainment industry to uphold its tradition of mentorship, calling artists the “dream-weavers of their generation.”
India’s Global Rise Fuels Creative Growth
Modi tied India’s cultural dynamism to its economic ascent, stating, “We are No.1 in fintech adoption, the second-largest mobile manufacturer, and the third-largest startup ecosystem. This is only the beginning.” He emphasized that India’s technological and creative prowess go hand-in-hand as the nation charts its path to becoming the world’s third-largest economy.
Conclusion: A Billion People, A Billion Stories
PM Modi’s address at WAVES 2025 underscored the power of Indian narratives in shaping global consciousness. From lullabies to symphonies, he said, every act of creativity mirrors human emotion and unites communities. As India continues to rise on the global stage, WAVES 2025 has laid a transformative foundation for the future of its audio-visual and entertainment sectors.
For more on India’s global cultural outreach, read our article on India’s Cultural Diplomacy Through Cinema and Arts.
