Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first of its kind, the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, WAVES 25, at Jio World Centre in Mumbai on May 1st 2025.


Modi started with his greetings to the audience on the occasion of Maharashtra Day and the Gujarat Statehood day celebrated on May 1st . He further acknowledged the presence of the all international dignitaries, ambassadors and leaders from the creative industry.

While addressing, Modi highlighted the importance of the summit, emphasising on the 100 countries' artists, innovators, investors, and policy makers who have come together on his platform to lay the foundation for the global ecosystem of creativity and talents. 


WAVES 25 is not just an abbreviation


WAVES 25 is not just merely an abbreviation but the WAVES represents the culture, the creativity and the universal connection. Underlining the significance of the summit which will showcase the extensive world of films, music, gaming, animation and storytelling on a global platform for all artists and creators to collaborate at one point of contact.




Shri Narendra Modi congratulated all the participants on this first-ever historic occasion and extended his warm welcome to the eminent guests from India and from abroad. Reflecting on India’s rich history in film-making at the WAVES Summit, the Prime Minister made a note of the first film Raja Harishchandra released in India on May 3rd 1913. The film was directed by filmmaker and the pioneer of the film Indian film industry Dadasaheb Phalke whose birth anniversary was celebrated a day earlier.


Modi highlights the impact of the Indian Cinema over a century


He highlighted that the impact of the Indian Cinema over the past century has successfully taken the Indian culture and its essence across every corner of the world. He also emphasised on the popularity of the Showman Raj Kapoor, and Russia where he got his global recognition from. 


He made a mention of filmmaker Satyajit Ray at Cannes and the Oscar-winning success of RRR. Noting the importance of how Indian filmmakers have continued to shape the global narratives. Modi acknowledged the cinematic poetry of Guru Dutt, the musical genius A R Rahman, the social reflections of Ritwik Ghatak and the epic stories re-told by S S Rajamouli.


The Prime Minister in his speech, stated that each of the artists in India has carried forward the Indian culture to life for millions worldwide. Shri Modi mentioned that the Cinema legends of India were honoured through dedicating postage stamps, paying tribute to their contribution to the industry.

Talking about the importance of India’s creativity and its capabilities, and the global collaboration, the Prime Minister emphasised that over the years, He has been involved with professionals from different sectors like music, gaming, filmmaking and acting to name a few to discuss the ideas and insights and to understand the creative industry.


Modi highlighted the initiative undertaken at the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, whereby singers from over 150 countries came together to perform the hymn written by Narsinh Mehta, the ‘Vaishnav Jan To’ which was nearly a 500 to 600 years old. He said that such kind of global effort creates a significant impact to bring the world together in harmony and peace. 




The Global Artistic Effort to Gandhi One Fifty Initiative


The global artistic efforts have created an impact and to which Modi added that several individuals present at the Summit had contributed to the Gandhi One Fifty Initiative. Short video messages were created sharing Gandhi’s philosophies. Modi to remarked that the collective strength of India’s creative world with International collaboration, has demonstrated successfully the potential it has and the vision it has had for which the WAVES 25 has materialised. 


Shri Modi proudly praised the success of the very first edition of the WAVES Summit stating that this grand event had lot of expectations and has captured the global attention. The Summit is ‘Roaring with a Purpose’. He also acknowledged the dedication and efforts of the Summit’s Advisory Board. Their role in making the WAVES a huge event in the creative industry which he says is on the scale of 100,000 creative professionals across he 60 countries.