WAVES Summit 2025: PM Modi Lauds Indian Films For Global Impact; Says 'Now Is Right Time To Create In India'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Video Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) in Mumbai today, calling it a defining moment for India's creative economy.

In his address, PM Modi emphasised that “this is the right time to create in India, and create for the world.”

Highlighting India's emergence in the "Orange Economy"—defined by content, creativity, and culture—the Prime Minister called this era the "Uday Kaal" or rising age of India's creative industries.

He praised the global impact of Indian films and predicted that Indian music, gaming, and fashion would soon enjoy similar worldwide recognition. “The screen may be going micro, but the message in our films is going macro,” he said.

He described India as a nation not only of a billion-plus people but also of a billion-plus stories, rich with a cinematic legacy spanning over a century—from the release of Raja Harishchandra in 1913 to the global influence of legends like Dadasaheb Phalke, Raj Kapoor, and Satyajit Ray.

He also believes that Indian creative economy in the coming years can increase its contribution in the GDP.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need for responsible content creation in the digital age, warning against a future where “humans turn into robots.”

He underscored the importance of investing not only in platforms but also in the people who create content. “WAVES will connect Indian youth with global storytellers and transform our gamers into global champions,” he declared.

PM Modi urged global creators and investors to view India as a content playground, rich with opportunities and stories that resonate universally. He reiterated that India is rapidly becoming a hub for animation, visual effects, gaming, and extended reality (AVGC-XR), and called for global coordination as technological progress widens the scope of the creator economy.

He also congratulated the finalists of the “Create in India Challenge” and announced plans to launch the WAVES Awards to further recognise excellence in the industry.

“WAVES is not just an acronym; it is a true wave—of culture, creativity, and universal connection,” said PM Modi.