On May 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This four-day mega event aims to position India as a global hub for the media and entertainment (M&E) industry, showcasing innovation, creativity, and collaboration across audio-visual platforms.
What Is WAVES?
WAVES, jointly organized by the central and Maharashtra state governments, is envisioned as the Davos for media and entertainment. The summit will bring together top industry figures, global creators, and policymakers for a vibrant exchange of ideas and future-forward insights. It features immersive exhibitions, awards, masterclasses, roundtables, and a sprawling creative playground called the Creatosphere.
PM Modi’s Day at WAVES
PM Modi is expected to spend nearly 10 hours at the venue, signaling strong government backing for India’s M&E ecosystem. He will lead a CEO roundtable with global media leaders, interact with young creators from 31 ‘Create in India’ challenges, and present the first-ever WAVES Awards.
WAVES Day 1 Highlights
1. Cultural Opening
The summit began with a musical invocation by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani and a 30-member orchestra. This was followed by a visually rich segment titled ‘Sutradhar Reinvented’, a tribute to Indian storytelling, narrated by actor Sharad Kelkar.
2. Bharat Pavilion – ‘Kala to Code’
PM Modi unveiled the Bharat Pavilion, themed ‘Kala to Code’, featuring four immersive zones that trace India’s storytelling evolution—from traditional arts to futuristic media technologies.
3. High-Profile Panels
- Legends and Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul – A star-studded discussion featuring Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi, moderated by Akshay Kumar.
- The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends – With SS Rajamouli, Anil Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and AR Rahman, hosted by Karan Johar.
- The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler – A candid chat featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in conversation with Karan Johar.
4. Key Issues Discussed
- Regulating broadcasting in the digital age
- Copyright protection for AV performers and creators
- The role of artificial intelligence in content creation
- Theatrical vs. digital releases in a hybrid world
- India’s AVGC-XR (Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) policy roadmap
5. Global Media Dialogue
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led a special Global Media Dialogue, bringing together international media ministers and industry leaders for policy discussions on the future of cross-border storytelling and media collaboration.
6. Star-Studded Evening Performances
Day 1 ends with a spectacular cultural night featuring performances by:
- Vishwa Mohan Bhatt (Grammy-winning instrumentalist)
- Yella Venkateswara Rao and Ronu Majumdar
- Tetseo Sisters, JHAALA
- Shreya Ghoshal
- KING x Alan Walker
- Anupam Kher in a special cinematic tribute
Why WAVES Matters
India’s media sector is projected to reach $70 billion by 2030. WAVES represents an important initiative to unify creators, tech innovators, and policymakers on a single platform. With its focus on IP creation, immersive media, AI-driven storytelling, and youth innovation, WAVES may become a permanent fixture in Mumbai’s global event calendar.
What to expect on Day 1
- Day one will open with a high-profile panel discussion titled ‘Legends and Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul’, featuring Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi. The session will be moderated by actor Akshay Kumar.
- Another highlight will be ‘The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends’, a panel with filmmaker SS Rajamouli, actors Anil Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, and music maestro AR Rahman, moderated by producer-director Karan Johar.
- A much-anticipated chat between Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Karan Johar, titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’, will delve into the inspiring careers of the two actors.
- Key issues on the agenda include regulating broadcasting in the digital age, copyright for audio-visual performers and content creators, the role of artificial intelligence in media, the future of theatrical releases, and the evolution of the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality) sector.
Looking Ahead
Over the next three days, the summit will host masterclasses, business matchmaking sessions, policy dialogues, and more award ceremonies. Stay tuned for daily highlights and in-depth coverage of the summit.
Want to know more about India’s booming animation and gaming sector? Read our blog on India’s AVGC-XR Vision for 2030.
