PM Modi appeals to entertainment industry across the globe to choose India to create content for the world
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, extended an open invitation to global creators and the entertainment industry to choose India as a hub for content creation, emphasizing the country’s rich storytelling heritage and growing creative economy.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.
Modi called it a historic opportunity for creators worldwide, stating, “This is the right time — the right time to create in India and create for the world.” He underscored that India’s timeless storytelling traditions, drawn from thousands of years of cultural heritage, span diverse genres — from mythology and science to fiction, sports, valor, and innovation.
India: A Creative Powerhouse
Referring to the vast and diverse ecosystem of Indian storytelling, the Prime Minister said, “Our stories are more than cultural narratives — they are rooted in science, courage, and imagination.
It is our collective duty to bring these treasures to the global audience and the next generation. WAVES is the platform to do just that.”
The four-day WAVES 2025 summit, themed ‘Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries’, aims to establish India as a global center for media, entertainment, and digital innovation.
It brings together industry leaders, startups, policymakers, and creators from around the world, spanning fields such as film, music, gaming, animation, and storytelling.
Modi remarked that WAVES is more than just an acronym, describing it as a “real wave” of creativity, culture, and global collaboration.
He reflected on India’s first motion picture, ‘Raja Harishchandra’, released 112 years ago by Dadasaheb Phalke, and paid homage to icons like Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, Ritwik Ghatak, AR Rahman, and SS Rajamouli, who have helped bring Indian culture to international prominence.
Global Artistic Collaboration & Cultural Openness
In an appeal to global content creators and investors, Modi invited them to explore India as a vibrant and fertile creative playground. He praised India’s civilizational values of inclusivity and openness, referencing the way communities like Parsis and Jews have flourished in Indian society and contributed richly to its culture.
Citing a global musical tribute for Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, where artists from 150 countries sang the devotional song “Vaishnav Jan To”, Modi said the initiative reflected India’s commitment to global harmony through art.
Orange Economy & Creative Impact on GDP
Highlighting India’s economic rise, Modi emphasized the significance of the Orange Economy, which rests on the pillars of content, creativity, and culture.
He affirmed that India’s creative sectors will play a crucial role in boosting the country’s GDP and global standing.
The Prime Minister also announced the upcoming launch of the WAVES Awards, envisioned as the world’s most prestigious honors in arts and creativity, echoing the transformation brought about by the People’s Padma awards that celebrated unsung grassroots heroes from across India.
Preserving Human Emotion in a Technological Age
Addressing the growing dominance of technology in daily life, Modi emphasized the need to preserve human sensitivity and emotion.
“Technology alone cannot enrich lives — it’s music, art, song, and dance that elevate the human spirit,” he said, underlining the role of the creative industry in maintaining the emotional core of society.
He concluded by asserting that WAVES 2025 would become a landmark platform for showcasing India’s immense talent in the creative sectors and for connecting them with global audiences, investors, and opportunities.
