Will PM Modi Inaugurate the Inaugural WAVES Summit in Mumbai Today?

Mumbai, May 1 (NationPress) On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai. This four-day event, under the banner “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries”, aspires to establish India as a global center for media, entertainment, and digital innovation by uniting creators, startups, industry leaders, and policymakers from around the globe.

Aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision to harness creativity, technology, and talent for a brighter future, WAVES will encompass films, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, broadcasting, and emerging technologies, showcasing India's strengths in media and entertainment. The summit aims to tap into a $50 billion market by 2029, thereby enhancing India’s presence in the global entertainment sector.

For the first time, India will host the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) at WAVES 2025, featuring ministerial representatives from 25 nations, marking a significant step in the country’s role in the international media and entertainment arena.

The summit will also present the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace hosting over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects, facilitating connections between local and global buyers and sellers, and offering extensive networking and business opportunities. The Prime Minister will engage with creators selected from the '32 Create in India Challenges', which received over one lakh registrations.

Additionally, he will tour the Bharat Pavilion. WAVES 2025 anticipates participation from over 90 countries, with more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, over 300 companies, and more than 350 startups. The summit will host 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses across various sectors, including broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media.

According to Maharashtra Industry Minister Uday Samant, the event is organized by the Maharashtra government. “Mumbai, recognized as an international city, is the cradle of Hindi cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, began Marathi films here in Maharashtra. Thus, Mumbai stands as the leading city in the entertainment domain. Moreover, Maharashtra has ranked first in attracting foreign investments over the last three years,” he stated.

He added, “In tourism, Maharashtra is also in competition with other nations. The goal is to promote the state’s tourist destinations globally. The Central government has chosen Mumbai to showcase Maharashtra’s cultural, industrial, and tourism heritage on an international platform.”

Minister Samant noted that ministers and officials from 33 countries, along with CEOs from 120 international companies, will attend. Notable actors and producers from Bollywood, Tollywood, and the Marathi film industry are also expected to participate. “This event provides an excellent opportunity to elevate Maharashtra’s cultural, industrial, and tourism sectors to a global audience,” he concluded.