Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai on Thursday, May 1. The four-day event, hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, will bring together industry leaders from all corners of the media and entertainment world.
Jointly organised by the central and state governments, WAVES promises to be a vibrant meeting ground where traditional media and emerging technologies converge. The Prime Minister is slated to spend nearly 10 hours at the summit, including a roundtable with top CEOs and influential figures from the industry, signalling the government’s commitment to prioritising the sector at the highest level.
A key highlight of the event will be PM Modi’s interaction with young creators from around the world, who have participated in the ‘Create in India’ challenges. The Prime Minister will personally hand out awards to the winners, underscoring India’s push to nurture creative talent. The Creatosphere — an immersive and innovative hub — will feature dedicated zones for VR, animation, films, gaming, VFX, comics, music, and more, along with masterclasses for those looking to dive deeper into these fields.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will also address the inaugural session, which is expected to feature a star-studded audience, including actors like Aamir Khan, Chiranjeevi, Anil Kapoor, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, Hema Malini, and Anupam Kher.
The summit will begin on a grand note with a musical invocation by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani, accompanied by a 30-member orchestra. This will be followed by ‘Sutradhar Reinvented,’ a visually captivating tribute to India’s cinematic heritage, narrated by actor Sharad Kelkar. The Bharat Pavilion, unveiled by PM Modi, will celebrate India’s storytelling journey with its ‘Kala to Code’ theme, featuring four immersive zones that trace the evolution and future of India’s media and entertainment sector.
Throughout the summit, participants will engage in plenary sessions and discussions on the future of the audio-visual sector in India and globally. The opening day will conclude with a cultural extravaganza, with performances by maestros like Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Yella Venkateswara Rao, and Ronu Majumdar, alongside musical acts by Shreya Ghoshal, KING x Alan Walker, and a cinematic performance by Anupam Kher.
One of the key events will be the Global Media Dialogue, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where ministers, media leaders, and policymakers from around the world will discuss pressing issues in the industry.
The first-ever WAVES Awards will honor the winners of the ‘Create in India’ challenges, marking a milestone in recognizing global creative excellence. Mumbai is set to become the permanent home for WAVES, envisioned as the media and entertainment world’s answer to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
What to Expect on Day 1
The first day will feature high-profile panel discussions, starting with ‘Legends and Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul,’ which will include icons such as Hema Malini, Mithun Chakraborty, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi, moderated by actor Akshay Kumar. Another highlight will be ‘The New Mainstream: Breaking Borders, Building Legends,’ featuring filmmaker SS Rajamouli, actors Anil Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, and music maestro AR Rahman, moderated by Karan Johar.
A much-anticipated chat between Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Karan Johar, titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler,’ will delve into their inspiring careers. Discussions will also cover critical issues like regulating broadcasting in the digital age, copyright for content creators, the role of artificial intelligence in media, and the future of theatrical releases. The evolution of the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector will also be on the agenda.
