WAVES 2025: Key moments from the World’s Newest AV & Media Summit
From 1 to 4 May 2025, Mumbai hosted the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) at the Jio World Convention Centre. Organised by the Government of India, the summit aimed to establish India as a global hub for media and entertainment, bringing together over 90 countries and thousands of industry leaders, creators, and innovators. Alpár Kató, owner of DNH MEDIA GROUP, represented Hungary at the event.
Key themes and objectives of WAVES 2025
WAVES 2025 served as a dynamic platform to connect creators, businesses, and policymakers worldwide under the motto “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries.” The event featured 42 plenary sessions, 39 panel discussions, and 32 masterclasses covering a broad range of topics, including film, digital content, animation, gaming, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
The summit emphasised the growth and significance of India’s “orange economy” – the creative economy – highlighting its potential to become a major pillar of the country’s GDP and a global creative powerhouse.
Notable participants and highlights
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, underlining India’s rich storytelling heritage and its evolving role as a global content creator. Modi encouraged creators worldwide to “Create in India, Create for the World,” emphasising the country’s billion-strong population as a vast reservoir of stories and talent. You can read more about the first day and PM Modi’s speech here: WAVES 2025 kicks off in Mumbai, showcasing India’s rising creative economy
Prominent figures such as Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Rajinikanth, Deepika Padukone, SS Rajamouli, Aamir Khan, and Mohanlal participated in various discussions and masterclasses, sharing insights on creativity, technology, and the future of entertainment.
Innovations and technological advances
A major highlight was the announcement of the Indian Creative Technology Institute in Mumbai, backed by a ₹400 billion investment and partnerships with global tech giants like Google, Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, and NVIDIA. This institute aims to nurture talent in animation, gaming, visual effects, and extended reality (XR), positioning India at the forefront of AVGC-XR innovation.
The summit also spotlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies in storytelling, content creation, and audience engagement, fostering new business opportunities and international collaborations.
From the business world, YouTube CEO Neal Mohan was there, and one of the event’s main sponsors was billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
Business and cultural impact
The Bazaar facilitated business deals worth over ₹1,300 billion, while the Maharashtra state government signed agreements totalling ₹8,000 billion to boost the media and entertainment sector. Over 3,000 B2B meetings took place, enhancing global partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Cultural programs showcased India’s artistic diversity, with traditional dances and martial arts.
Bharat Pavilion
The Bharat Pavilion, 1,470 square meters, at WAVES 2025 was a major highlight, showcasing a multi-sensory journey through India’s rich storytelling heritage and its leap into cutting-edge digital innovation under the theme “From Kala to Code.” Spanning 1,470 square meters, the Pavilion was divided into four immersive zones – Shruti (oral traditions), Kriti (written traditions), Drishti (visual storytelling), and Creator’s Leap (future-facing technologies) – that together celebrated India’s evolution from ancient cultural expressions to modern media and entertainment technologies.
This dynamic space not only honoured India’s deep artistic and cultural legacy but also highlighted its emerging role as a global creative powerhouse. It attracted huge public interest and was visited by top dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and other senior officials, who praised its role in narrating India’s story
International tech and entertainment giants such as Apple, Netflix, and YouTube had a strong presence within the Pavilion and the broader WAVES 2025 exhibition.
Netflix, for example, created an experiential pavilion that immersed visitors in the magic of its content and showcased its commitment to Indian storytelling, featuring interactive exhibits and behind-the-scenes experiences that engaged thousands of attendees. Apple and YouTube also participated as leading exhibitors, reinforcing the Pavilion’s role as a global platform for collaboration between India’s creative talent and world-class technology companies.
Additionally, the Pavilion incorporated a dedicated i-gaming section, reflecting the booming gaming and esports industry in India. This zone highlighted innovations and business opportunities in interactive entertainment, featuring prominent gaming brands and demonstrating gaming’s increasing influence within the digital media ecosystem.
Conclusion
WAVES 2025 successfully positioned India as a key player in the global media and entertainment landscape. The summit’s core message highlighted the creative economy’s power to drive cultural, economic, and technological growth. With strong international participation, groundbreaking innovations, and significant business outcomes, the summit laid a robust foundation for India’s future as a global creative hub.
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