PM Modi Inaugurates WAVES Summit 2025 in Style

The eagerly anticipated WAVES 2025 (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will kick off today at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The summit will last four days and seeks to turn India into a worldwide hub for entertainment, storytelling, and creative innovation. Entitled “Uniting Creators, Uniting Nations,” the summit promises to be full of celebrities. It will also have the cultural richness of visual storytelling and connections with partners globally.

The Day of Inauguration

The very first day of WAVES 2025 starts at 10 AM with a blessing from Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani. It will continue with “Sutradhar Reinvented,” a cinematic story experience from acclaimed actor Sharad Kelkar. In the evening, audiences will experience classical and contemporary performances from stars such as Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Yella Venkateswara Rao, Ronu Majumdar and the ever-so-popular Shreya Ghoshal. Energetic performances with KING x Alan Walker, and ending with a movie homage from Anupam Kher.

Three Days of Creativity, Music, Collaboration and Cultural Exchange

From May 2 to May 4, the summit will showcase a range of local, national, and international talent in music, dance, and digital storytelling.

On May 2, it will showcase traditional Indian dances including Bhangra, Jabro, Chhau, Sambalpuri and Manipuri. It will be followed by Maharashtra Ki Lokdhara – an evening paying tribute to folk music and film scores. It will be by Shantanu Moitra and Shankar Mahadevan.

May 3: The cultural marathon will continue with international performances. It will culminate with “Anadi: The Eternal Spirit of Bharat”.
A spellbinding tribute with 600 artists celebrating the folk, tribal, and martial art traditions of India.

May 4: The conference will conclude on the Create in India Challenge. It is an exhibition of talent across various musical styles, from classical music (“Wah Ustad”) to EDM (“EDM Challenge”).

Star Cast and International Delegates

The delegates attending WAVES 2025 looks like a who’s who of the entertainment and tech world. Indian superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Rajinikanth will be in attendance. It will be along with global tech leaders like Ted Sarandos (Netflix), Neal Mohan (YouTube) and Adam Mosseri (Instagram). It is expected to have directors such as SS Rajamouli and Karan Johar, and Zoya Akhtar. Business moguls Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani will also be there as delegates.

WAVES 2025 Access and Passes

The summit features several audience types:

• Visitor Pass for Business (Rs 3000): All sessions and exhibitions
• Public Visitor Pass (Rs 99): Access to public spaces on May 3 – 4.
• Student Pass: Created to grant entry to educational programs and events only.
• Media Pass: Available to accredited media.
• Exhibitor Pass: Allocated by size of exhibitor booth and included in exhibitor price.

Coordinated by FICCI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Create in India Challenge, this summit will be more than a showcase. It’s a place for policy, innovation and cultural conversations.

Why WAVES 2025 Matters

As digital media fundamentally shapes culture and how content is consumed, WAVES 2025 represents India’s bold opportunity to lead on a global level in discussions regarding entertainment and creativity. Recent news articles reveal that the summit has already garnered interest from an array of international media and technology leaders and reflects India’s emergence in global entertainment linkages.

PM Modi’s opening comment will draw attention to India’s growth in the digital space, creativity, and the importance of collaboration to build a global platform for the media and entertainment industry.

Moving Ahead

WAVES 2025 is much more than performances—all about linkage, telling stories, and establishing a pathway for the future of global entertainment. The summit is comprised of a multitude of sessions, performances, and innovation showcases, representing a moment of significance for India’s soft power internationally.

As WAVES 2025 progresses over the next four days, it will be very interesting to see how this platform connects creators and nations and exemplifies India’s cultural confidence and digital ambitions across an increasingly hyper-connected world.

Please keep an eye out for recent news updates from WAVES 2025 as India welcomes the world through music, visual expression, and storytelling.