India to Host Inaugural WAVES Summit in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025
India is set to host the inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, 2025. The event is a major initiative to establish India as a global media and entertainment hub, bringing together leading industry figures, including media CEOs, entertainment professionals, and creative minds. The WAVES Summit aims to foster collaboration, investment, and technological advancements in the global entertainment sector.
The WAVES Summit is envisioned as a global platform similar to economic forums like Davos but dedicated to the media and entertainment industry. The event will focus on advancements in animation, gaming, visual effects, and filmmaking. It will provide an opportunity for Indian and international industry leaders to collaborate, discuss future trends, and explore investment opportunities.
The Indian government, recognizing the country’s potential in media and entertainment, has structured this summit to boost India’s creative economy. With India’s rapidly growing digital content consumption and expanding influence in cinema, WAVES is expected to play a key role in positioning the country as a leader in content creation and entertainment technology.
The announcement of WAVES was made by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Advisory Board for WAVES includes global industry leaders like Sundar Pichai (Google), Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mukesh Ambani. These influential figures have shared their insights to help India emerge as a major global player in the entertainment sector.
The government initially planned to launch WAVES alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in November 2024. However, to ensure wider participation and greater impact, the event was first shifted to February 2025 and then to May 2025. This reflects the commitment to making WAVES a major annual event that drives industry innovation, global partnerships, and economic growth.
Alongside the summit, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to legendary Indian cinema figures on their centenary birth anniversaries. Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Tapan Sinha were honored for their contributions to India’s cultural and cinematic legacy. Modi emphasized their lasting impact on Indian and global cinema, reinforcing India’s deep cultural heritage in filmmaking.
The WAVES Summit 2025 represents a significant step toward transforming India into a global media powerhouse. By bringing together international industry leaders, fostering technological advancements, and celebrating India’s cinematic history, the event is expected to elevate India’s standing in the global entertainment industry.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News? | India will host the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025, aiming to position India as a global media and entertainment hub. The event will bring together top industry leaders, including Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Amitabh Bachchan, and Mukesh Ambani, to discuss advancements in animation, gaming, visual effects, and cinema. It was initially planned for IFFI Goa (Nov 2024) but rescheduled for broader participation. |
| Event Name | WAVES Summit (World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit) |
| Venue | Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Dates | May 1-4, 2025 |
| Announced By | Ashwini Vaishnaw (Minister of Information & Broadcasting) |
| Chaired By | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Advisory Board Members | Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mukesh Ambani |
| Purpose | Foster global collaboration in media, attract investments, advance India’s entertainment technology |
| Initially Planned At | IFFI, Goa (November 2024) – Later rescheduled to February 2025 and then May 2025 |
| Honored Personalities | Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Tapan Sinha (on their centenary birth anniversaries) |
| State Static (Maharashtra) | CM: Devendra Gangadharrao Fadnavis, Governor:C. P. Radhakrishnan , Capital: Mumbai |
| International Static (If Required) | Sundar Pichai: CEO, Google & Alphabet; Satya Nadella: CEO, Microsoft |
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