Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai on 1 May 2025, positioning India as a burgeoning powerhouse in the global creative economy. Addressing thousands at the Jio World Convention Centre, Modi called the event a “pivotal moment” for the country’s cultural and economic ambitions, describing WAVES as “not just an acronym, it is a wave of culture, creativity and universal connectivity”.
A Vision for the Orange Economy
In his keynote speech, PM Modi emphasised the transformative potential of India’s creative sectors, coining the phrase “dawn of the Orange Economy of India” to describe the nation’s expanding influence in film, digital content, gaming, fashion, music, and live concerts. “In the coming years, the creative economy can increase its contribution to India’s GDP… Today, India is emerging as a global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, music and live concerts… This is the dawn of the Orange Economy in India,” he declared.
He urged global creators to see India as their platform for innovation and collaboration: “To the creators of the world – dream big and tell your story. To investors – invest not just in platforms, but in people. To Indian youth – tell your one billion untold stories to the world”. Modi’s call to action was clear: “It is right time for ‘create in India, create for world’ when world is looking for new ways of story-telling”.
India’s Storytelling Heritage and Youth Power
Modi highlighted India’s unique advantage in a world hungry for diverse narratives, noting, “India, with a billion-plus population, is also a land of a billion-plus stories”. He stressed the importance of leveraging the nation’s ancient storytelling traditions in contemporary formats: “Today when the world is looking for new ways of storytelling, India has a treasure of its stories dating back thousands of years, this treasure is timeless, thought-provoking and truly global”.
The Prime Minister praised the creativity of India’s youth, especially in digital domains such as gaming, animation, and social media reels. “In the spirit of youth, in their working style, there are no barriers, no baggage or boundaries. That is why your creativity flows completely freely. There is no hesitation or reluctance in this,” he said, reflecting on his personal interactions with young creators.
Technology, Responsibility, and Human Sensibility
Modi addressed the convergence of technology and creativity, stating, “Today, technology has made the sky open for the creative world. Therefore, global coordination is equally important. I am confident that Waves platform will connect our creators with global storytellers”. He also cautioned against the risks of technological advancement without creative responsibility: “We must not allow humans to become robots. We must make humans more and more creative. We must make them more and more prosperous”.
He underscored the role of art, music, dance, and storytelling in preserving human sensibilities, warning, “If we step back from this responsibility, it will be very dangerous for the young generation”.
A Global Platform for Collaboration
WAVES 2025 is set to be a landmark event, with participation from over 90 countries, more than 10,000 delegates, 1,000 creators, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. The summit features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses, spanning broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, films, and digital media. The event also includes the WAVES Bazaar, a global e-marketplace connecting over 6,100 buyers and 5,200 sellers with 2,100 projects, and hosts the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) with ministerial participation from 25 countries.
During his visit, Modi toured the Creatosphere and interacted with creators selected from the 32 Create in India Challenges, which attracted over 100,000 registrations. He also visited the Bharat Pavilion, further showcasing India’s creative prowess.
Looking Ahead
Prime Minister Modi concluded with optimism for India’s creative future: “Our journey of Viksit Bharat has just begun”. WAVES 2025 is expected to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, cementing India’s place at the heart of the global entertainment economy.
“Today, foreign consumers are consuming Indian entertainment with subtitles. Screen size is becoming smaller, but the consumption is growing; the message is becoming bigger. India’s food is being preferred globally. I am sure, India’s songs too will be preferred,” PM Modi said.
WAVES 2025 stands as a testament to India’s ambition to lead the world in creativity, culture, and innovation, inviting both domestic and international stakeholders to be part of this transformative journey.
