WAVES Summit 2025: India’s Bold Leap into the Global Creative Economy
Introduction
India is preparing to unveil one of its most ambitious cultural and economic initiatives—WAVES Summit 2025, short for the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit. This landmark event aims to redefine India’s presence on the global entertainment stage, much like the World Economic Forum has done for international policy and business discourse. Scheduled to take place in New Delhi, WAVES Summit 2025 will be a celebration of storytelling, innovation, culture, and commerce—showcasing the tremendous potential of India’s creative economy.
What is WAVES Summit 2025?
WAVES 2025 is an initiative jointly developed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Its core goal is to position India as a global leader in the media, entertainment, and creative technology sectors—collectively referred to as the “Orange Economy.”
This summit will gather industry veterans, technology innovators, policymakers, artists, content creators, and business leaders from across the world to deliberate on the future of media and the rising influence of cultural exports in the digital age.
Key Objectives of the Summit
- Global Branding of India’s Creative Industry
Promote Indian cinema, music, art, gaming, and digital content on international platforms. - Fostering Global Collaborations
Encourage partnerships between Indian creators and international production houses, studios, and tech innovators. - Empowering Local Talent
Provide platforms and funding access for emerging artists, musicians, game developers, animators, and cultural entrepreneurs. - Integrating Technology and Culture
Highlight the role of emerging technologies like AI, VR, AR, and blockchain in transforming the storytelling and entertainment landscape.
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WAVES Summit 2025: Full Schedule and Highlights
The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, held from May 1 to May 4, 2025, at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, brought together the biggest names from the creative industry for four days of impactful discussions, cultural showcases, and global networking. Themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” WAVES 2025 was a powerhouse of talent, ideas, and opportunities. Below is a breakdown of the key events and their timings during the summit.
🗓️ Day 1 – May 1, 2025 (Thursday)
Theme: India’s Global Cultural Footprint
- 10:00 AM – Inaugural Ceremony
Inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Keynote Address on India’s media potential and launch of key initiatives for the creative economy. - 12:00 PM – Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul
Speakers: Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Chiranjeevi, Mithun Chakraborty, Hema Malini
Moderator: Akshay Kumar
A tribute to the cinematic giants who shaped Indian storytelling. - 2:30 PM – The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler
Conversation between: Shah Rukh Khan & Deepika Padukone
Moderated by: Karan Johar
Candid discussion on personal journeys, perseverance, and transformation in cinema. - 5:00 PM – Talent Beyond Borders: Breaking New Grounds
Speaker: Allu Arjun
A look into the cross-cultural appeal of Indian stars and the globalization of regional cinema. - 7:30 PM – Cultural Showcase: Symphony of India
Performances by: MM Keeravani, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, Mangli
A grand musical celebration of Indian diversity and unity through sound.
🗓️ Day 2 – May 2, 2025 (Friday)
Theme: The Business of Storytelling
- 10:00 AM – Financing Futures: The New Creator Economy
A panel featuring investors, producers, and startup founders discussing funding strategies in digital media. - 12:00 PM – Crafting Global Hits: The India-International Collaboration Model
Discussions on co-productions, IP licensing, and cross-border content innovation. - 3:00 PM – Launch of WAVES Bazaar
India’s first global content marketplace for creators, buyers, and producers. - 5:00 PM – Masterclass: Directing for the World Stage
Host: SS Rajamouli
A session on how Indian narratives are reaching international box offices.
🗓️ Day 3 – May 3, 2025 (Saturday)
Theme: Innovation in Media & Entertainment
- 10:00 AM – NextGen Media: The Role of AI, XR, and Metaverse in Entertainment
Experts showcase the impact of emerging technologies in storytelling. - 12:30 PM – The Creator’s Toolkit: Monetization & Growth Hacks for New Media
Focused on influencers, streamers, and independent content creators. - 3:30 PM – Global Media Dialogue (GMD)
Participation from: Ministers and representatives from 25+ countries
A high-level dialogue on international media policy, content diplomacy, and soft power. - 7:00 PM – Evening Gala: India Connects the World
A celebration of Indo-global creative partnerships through dance, fashion, and multimedia.
🗓️ Day 4 – May 4, 2025 (Sunday)
Theme: Looking Forward – India as the Global Content Capital
- 10:00 AM – Building the India Creative Stack
Launch of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) and India’s $1B creator fund. - 12:00 PM – The New Mainstream: Youth, Culture, and Platforms
Panelists: AR Rahman, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Anil Kapoor
Moderator: Zoya Akhtar
A generational discussion on trends, disruption, and the evolving definition of ‘mainstream’. - 2:00 PM – Closing Ceremony & International Partnership Announcements
Summary of MoUs signed, collaborations launched, and global alliances formed.
The WAVES Summit 2025 not only showcased India’s rich entertainment legacy but also laid the foundation for its future as a global creative superpower. From thought leadership and tech integration to talent empowerment and cultural pride, WAVES 2025 will be remembered as a historic turning point for India’s media and entertainment industry.
For full recordings, partner opportunities, and updates on the next edition, visit the official WAVES India website.
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WAVES Bazaar: A Game-Changing Marketplace for Creators
A flagship initiative under WAVES 2025 is the launch of WAVES Bazaar—a virtual marketplace designed to connect India’s vast network of creative professionals with international buyers, producers, distributors, and investors.
This digital platform will feature:
- Project Showcases from independent filmmakers, musicians, animators, and content developers
- Investment Opportunities for international media investors
- Global Licensing & Distribution Deals for Indian content
- Talent Collaboration Portals to discover and partner with artists and storytellers from diverse cultures
The WAVES Bazaar will not only serve as an economic engine but will also be a cultural bridge between India and the world.
WAVES Awards 2025: Honoring Excellence in Entertainment
To recognize the brilliance within India’s creative sector, the summit will host the inaugural WAVES Awards. These awards will celebrate excellence in:
- Film of the Year
- Game of the Year
- Best Digital Campaign/Ad Film
- Lifetime Achievement in Media Arts
- Innovation in Technology for Storytelling
Nominations are open to both Indian and international participants, with entries reviewed by an esteemed panel of global experts.
Create in India Challenges: Promoting Culture Through Competition
WAVES 2025 introduces a dynamic set of open challenges designed to engage creators of all kinds. These competitions aim to revive traditional arts while embracing new-age expressions.
1. Wah Ustaad: A Classical Music Talent Hunt
An open call for young Indian classical musicians worldwide. Finalists will perform live at the WAVES Grand Finale.
2. Make the World Wear Khadi: Global Branding Campaign
This challenge seeks to revamp India’s iconic handwoven fabric—Khadi—through digital, visual, and interactive advertising campaigns with international appeal.
3. Resonate: EDM Music Challenge
Bringing electronic music creators to the forefront, this competition calls for innovative EDM compositions reflecting Indian cultural themes or fusion styles.
WaveXcelerator: Fueling the Next Gen of Creative Startups
To support innovation within the Orange Economy, WAVES 2025 will feature the WaveXcelerator, an incubator designed for early-stage startups working in:
- Augmented and Virtual Reality
- Game Development
- AI-Powered Media Tools
- Music and Film Tech
- Interactive Storytelling
Selected startups will receive mentorship, access to global investors, media exposure, and the chance to present their work at the summit.
WAVES Declaration 2025: Shaping the Global Entertainment Ethos
At the close of the event, WAVES 2025 will unveil the WAVES Declaration—a strategic roadmap outlining shared values and cooperative frameworks for the global entertainment industry. This document aims to:
- Encourage ethical storytelling across cultures
- Promote sustainability in media production
- Enhance accessibility and inclusivity in content
- Foster responsible use of AI and emerging technologies in the arts
Industry Support & Participation
WAVES Summit 2025 has already received accolades and endorsements from prominent figures in Indian entertainment:
- Anil Kapoor called it a “visionary leap forward for Indian cinema.”
- Ektaa Kapoor described it as a “historic movement for content creators.”
- Prasoon Joshi emphasized its potential to amplify India’s cultural voice globally.
- Sanjay Dutt referred to it as “India’s cultural renaissance on a world stage.”
- Ritesh Sidhwani and Apoorva Mehta affirmed their support for using the summit to showcase India’s creativity and drive investment.
Why WAVES 2025 Matters for India and the World
With a rapidly growing digital audience and unmatched cultural richness, India stands at a pivotal moment. The WAVES Summit serves as:
- A catalyst for economic growth via creative exports
- A platform for narrative diplomacy, telling India’s story to the world
- A launchpad for young artists with global ambitions
- A hub for new-age creative technologies that redefine how content is made and consumed
Conclusion
WAVES Summit 2025 is more than just an event—it’s a declaration that India is ready to lead the future of global entertainment. By blending tradition with innovation and culture with commerce, WAVES 2025 will spotlight India’s role in shaping the next era of storytelling, technology, and creativity.
Whether you’re a creator, investor, policymaker, or fan of India’s rich cultural legacy, WAVES 2025 invites the world to be part of this unprecedented movement.
