The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 is taking place at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, placing India at the heart of the international media and entertainment world. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) hosted the four-day conclave (May 1–4), which is drawing international attention with participation by industry leaders, policymakers, and content creators.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the summit on May 1, calling WAVES “the dawn of India’s Orange Economy,” highlighting the intersection of creativity and commerce. The conference is centred around fast-growing sectors like AI, VR, gaming, OTT platforms, and digital media since India seeks to become a world hub for innovation-based entertainment.
High-Profile Meetings and Announcements
The first two days of the event include private meetings with big-name speakers like Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and top executives from SEGA and Krafton. Japanese anime studios are talking about working together with Indian studios, and Saudi Arabia’s Esports Federation is sharing plans for international gaming investments.
One of the most exciting highlights is the launch of the Nifty Waves Index by NSE, which tracks 43 media and entertainment companies, showing growing investor interest in the industry.
Public Engagement Starts
On May 3 today, the summit is open to the public with a variety of interactive activities. The Gaming Arcade features hands-on preview of upcoming games, including Xbox exclusives. The Create in India Challenge invites young animators, musicians, and developers to let their talents shine.
The Bharat Pavilion welcomes international viewers through interactive Indian culture-based storytelling enriched with VR, projection mapping, and AI audio. Saif Ali Khan and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos discuss streaming’s future and India’s evolving content landscape in the OTT Revolution panel.
Top Focus Points
– Creative Diplomacy: India is exporting its soft power of culture to global platforms.
– Moral Usage of AI: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw promotes moral usage of AI in media and entertainment.
– Gaming Expansion: Local gaming companies such as Nazara Games and global players such as Krafton make new entry announcements, attributing the sector’s fast growth.
Last Day Ahead
The summit will reach its final day tomorrow, May 4, with discussions on VR storytelling, esports, and the future of digital journalism. Public tickets will cost ₹99 and can be booked on BookMyShow.
WAVES 2025 is poised to be a landmark event for India’s creative future. As Nita Ambani says in her keynote today, “In a world racing toward AI, we must preserve ancient wisdom.”
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