India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated WAVES 2025 on April 30 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra, calling it a turning point for the Orange Economy. The event, organized by the Indian government in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, highlighted India’s growing creative sectors such as media, film, animation, and gaming. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani predicted the Indian entertainment industry could grow from USD 28 billion to over USD 100 billion within a decade.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, underscoring its role in transforming India into a global hub for the Orange Economy. The summit, hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre, was backed by the Government of India and aimed to foster collaboration among global creators, innovators, and policymakers.
WAVES 2025, jointly supported by central and state government agencies and industry leaders, positions India at the heart of global media, entertainment, and cultural innovation. Prime Minister Modi stated that the “Orange Economy” – driven by content, creativity, and culture – is set to become a key driver of India’s economic growth.
India is emerging as a global hub for music, film, digital content, and gaming. The graphic and animation industries will bring immense prosperity”
PM Modi
Reliance Industries, India’s largest private-sector conglomerate, also played a major role in the summit. Chairman Mukesh Ambani projected that India’s media and entertainment industry, currently valued at USD 28 billion, could surge to over USD 100 billion within the next ten years.
This growth will drive entrepreneurship, create millions of jobs, and ripple across other industries.”
Mukesh Ambani, Charman of Reliance
Noted producer Boney Kapoor praised the government’s support, calling the initiative “fantastic” and noting the unified backing from both the central and Maharashtra governments. Bollywood singer and composer Himesh Reshammiya also applauded the platform as a milestone for India’s creative industries.
The summit attracted major names from Bollywood, including Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Rajinikanth, and Akshay Kumar. Global tech companies, media executives, and investors also participated under the theme “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries.”
