WAVES 2025: A Summit To Showcase India’s Creative Economy

A dynamic event with creative minds, groundbreaking ideas, and cutting-edge technology coming together to shape the future of entertainment, this is what the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 will be. Set to commence in Mumbai between the last week of April and the first week of May; this event will position India as a global leader in media and entertainment.

Organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, WAVES 2025 was initially scheduled for February 5–9 in New Delhi. However, the shift in dates and venue hasn’t dimmed its magnificence. This summit is designed to showcase India’s prowess in the creative and media economy while fostering collaborations across industries.

The Create in India Challenge: Innovation Takes Center Stage

One of the summit’s standout features is the inaugural ‘Create in India Challenge’. This was aimed at nurturing innovation and creativity, including four flagship challenges:

• Waves Reel Making Challenge in partnership with Meta.
• Waves Explorer Challenge, supported by YouTube.
• Waves Chronicles: AI Comic Art Challenge, in collaboration with Google Play.
• Waves AI Art Installation Challenge.

These challenges will bring creators, technologists, and innovators to explore the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling.

What more about Waves?

The Waves Bazaar is another key attraction, building upon the NFDC’s Film Bazaar concept. This one-stop marketplace will facilitate cross-sector collaboration, B2B meetings, and innovations. It’s a space where startups in the media and entertainment sector can thrive, underscoring the summit’s commitment to entrepreneurial growth.

India’s Vision in Media

Speaking at the 19th India Digital Summit (IDS 2025), C Senthil Rajan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, highlighted WAVES’s transformative potential. He described it as an industry-led platform designed to unite global and Indian stakeholders in media and entertainment.

“By embracing AI and other technological advancements, India will lead the global media landscape,” he said. Rajan’s statement reflects the government’s vision of positioning India as a hub for world-class content creation.

Just Content? A Tribute to Indian Legends too!

WAVES 2025 will also honour the contributions of Indian cinema legends,

• Raj Kapoor, for showcasing India’s soft power through cinema.
• Mohammed Rafi, whose timeless voice defined an era of music.
• Akkineni Nageswara Rao elevated Telugu cinema and reflected Indian traditions.
• Tapan Sinha is known for his socially conscious films.

Global Impact X Local Roots

Inspired by international events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, WAVES aims to attract global attention. Focusing on animation, gaming, entertainment technology, influencers, content creation and regional and mainstream cinema, the summit is a testament to India’s dynamic spirit and potential.

During his ‘Mann ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called WAVES a milestone initiative for India’s creative industries. He urged creators to participate, emphasising its role in achieving India’s $5 trillion economy goal.

There is always a Bigger Picture!!

WAVES 2025 fosters young talent, respects creators, creates jobs and drives investment. By bringing together the best and most innovative minds from across the globe, India can stage a creative revolution.

India’s media and entertainment sector has always been a powerhouse of talent and innovation. WAVES 2025 will amplify this potential, transforming ideas into action and creativity into impact.

As the world turns its eyes toward Mumbai this April, one thing is certain: WAVES 2025 will not just celebrate India’s creative economy; it will reconceptualise it. I hope you all are ready for a future where India leads the world in storytelling, technology, and innovation.