India pushes to become a Global Storyteller, WAVES is just the first step!

India's ambitious push to become a global hub for media and entertainment was showcased prominently at WAVES 2025, the first-ever World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit. This is because the government recorded over Rs 10,000 crore in deals and investment commitments signed during the four-day summit. Moreover, the Maharashtra government also signed investment agreements worth nearly Rs 8,000 crore, according to the WAVES outcome report released on Friday, July 18, 2025.


India Was Already a Storyteller

For centuries, India has told stories through temple carvings, folk songs, and timeless epics. Today, that storytelling tradition is evolving on digital platforms, video games, and global streaming services. This shift has transformed the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector into a dynamic engine of growth, creativity, and global influence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi describes this era as the “Age of the Orange Economy,” where content, creativity, and culture shape India’s global rise. This vision came alive at WAVES 2025 held in Mumbai. The summit positioned India as both a creator and exporter of compelling content, turning its storytelling legacy into economic and cultural capital.

WAVES as Soft Power

In today’s world, influence comes not only from diplomacy or trade but also from the ability to shape narratives. India’s civilizational depth, digital momentum, and creative youth give it a unique edge. WAVES 2025 leveraged this strength to showcase India as a cultural powerhouse and global content hub.

So, this was not just an industry event. It was a strategic assertion of India’s soft power. Gathering creators, investors, and innovators from over 100 countries, the summit reflected the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) and aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of inclusive, future-ready growth.

The summit was the result of years of planning. Prime Minister Modi had envisioned a global M&E platform as early as 2019. By 2024, groundwork was in place through initiatives like the Curtain Raiser, Create in India Challenges (CIC), and coordinated efforts by the Ministries of Information & Broadcasting, External Affairs, and the Maharashtra government. WAVES 2025 became the culmination of this effort, turning vision into global impact.

Moid also called for “Create in India, Create for the World”, which was a strategic pivot from manufacturing to intellectual and cultural production. It was not just a celebration of India’s creative energy—it was a launchpad for global leadership in the Orange Economy.

High-profile voices amplified the message. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan hailed India as a “Creator Nation,” praising the global reach of its regional content. Science communicator Mark Rober highlighted how technology—especially AI-driven dubbing and localisation—can help Indian stories cross borders.

The Impact in Numbers

As its inaugural edition, it brought together more than 100,000 participants from over 100 countries, including 3,100+ companies, 350+ startups, and over 1,000 creators. A rich knowledge-sharing agenda featured 140+ sessions, masterclasses, and industry dialogues with global leaders.

Metric	Outcome
Summit Dates	May 1 – 4, 2025
Total Registrations	100,000+
International Participation	100+ Countries
International Registrants	1,100+
Global Media Dialogue Nations	77
Companies Represented	3,100+
Startups Participating	350+
Knowledge Sessions	140+ (incl. 40 Masterclasses, 55 Breakouts)
Maharashtra Govt. MoUs Signed	₹8,000 Crore
WAVES Bazaar Deal Value	₹1,328 Crore
Total Business Value Catalysed	₹10,000+ Crore

Maharashtra

A significant milestone of WAVES 2025’s success was the signing of four major MoUs by the Government of Maharashtra, amounting to ₹8,000 crore in investments. It is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs, creating a powerful socio-economic multiplier effect that will benefit the entire state for years to come.

Partner Entity	Investment Value (₹ Crore)	Project / Objective	Projected Employment Impact
DNEG-Prime Focus Ltd.	3,000	Develop a technologically advanced film city	2,500 direct, 10,000 indirect
Godrej Fund Management	2,000	Develop a modern media campus at Panvel.	Large-scale employment generation
University of York, UK	1,500	Establish first Indian campus in Navi Mumbai "Educity" hub.	Thousands of jobs
University of Western Australia	1,500	Establish first Indian campus in Navi Mumbai "Educity" hub.	Thousands of jobs
Total	8,000	Establish a globally competitive media & entertainment ecosystem.	> 25,000 total jobs (direct & indirect)

WAVES 2025 – Key Initiatives, Vision, and Outcomes

The summit was anchored on several pillars including WavesX, WAVES Bazaar, Creatosphere, Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT), etc. They formed a vertically integrated ecosystem. From education and talent discovery to showcasing Bharat’s legacy to entrepreneurship and global market access, it strategically crafted to position India as a global powerhouse in content, creativity, and culture.

Initiative	Vision Behind the Initiative	Key Data & Outcomes
WAVEX	-To make India a global hub for innovation in digital media and entertainment technologies by fostering a creator-first ecosystem. -To align startup innovation with national missions like Digital India by solving key challenges in areas like language accessibility.	-Received 1,500 applications. - 30 selected startups pitched to 29 top-tier investors. -127 startups were successfully connected with investors and partners. - Winners receive incubation, mentorship, and pilot support with national broadcasters
WAVES Bazaar	To create the world's first comprehensive Media & Entertainment Ecosystem, revolutionising collaboration, funding, and distribution. To democratise market access and empower creators at all levels, from independent artists to major studios.	- Facilitated over ₹1,328 crore in business transactions. - Hosted over 3,000 B2B meetings, generating ₹971 crore in deals. -Registered over 5,500 buyers and 2,000 sellers. -Enabled 7 international co-production agreements, including a €30 million Indo-European animation deal.
Creatosphere & 'Create in India' Challenge	To realise the Prime Minister's mission of "Create in India, Create for the World" by building a global creative movement rooted in the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam	-Featured 32 distinct creative and tech challenges.29 -Attracted 1,01,349 registrations, including over 1,100 international entries from 60+ countries. -750 finalists showcased their projects at the Creatosphere platform during the summit.
Global Media Dialogue	To position India as a Vishwa-Guru (global guide) in the creative domain by leading international conversations on the future of media.7 To foster global peace and harmony through collaborative action.	- A high-level conclave attended by ministers and senior representatives from 77 nations. -Resulted in the unanimous adoption of the 'WAVES Declaration', a collective pledge for global collaboration.
WAVES Culture & Concert	To showcase India's rich cultural and artistic spirit to a global audience, demonstrating the fusion of tradition and modernity that defines the new creative India.	-Multi-day cultural showcase featuring a 30-member orchestra, classical ensembles, folk performances, and contemporary acts. - Key performers included M. M. Keeravaani, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Shreya Ghoshal, KING x Alan Walker, and Shankar Mahadevan. - Featured a dedicated showcase for the winners of the 'Create in India' music challenges.

Through storytelling, heritage-based innovation and creator-led growth, India is not only reclaiming its narrative but setting the tone for a new global cultural order. And, WAVES 2025 is the beginning of that shift. It is the first ripple of a deeper, wider transformation, one where India’s creativity is not waiting to be noticed but is ready to lead.

As Prime Minister Modi aptly noted, the journey has just begun, and "many beautiful waves are yet to come". The tide of Indian creativity is rising, and its impact will be felt on global shores for decades to come.