NEW DELHI: India’s first global entertainment summit began in Mumbai on Thursday, bringing together the country’s biggest Bollywood stars, from legendary actor Shah Rukh Khan to renowned actress Deepika Padukone, and industry leaders from around the world.
The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, or Waves, is organized by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
About 100,000 participants from 100 countries will join the four-day summit at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, featuring a lineup of India’s A-list celebrities and creatives, such as Anil Kapoor, A.R. Rahman and Alia Bhatt.
Its plenary sessions will feature prominent speakers in the media and entertainment industry, including Netflix’s CEO Ted Sarandos, YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan, and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani.
“Today, artists, innovators, investors and policymakers from more than 100 countries have gathered under one roof in Mumbai. In a way, the foundation of a global ecosystem of global talent and global creativity is being laid here today,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during the opening ceremony.
“Waves is a global platform that belongs to all the artists, all the creators, where every artist, every youth will connect with the creative world with a new idea.”
Bollywood movie star Shah Rukh Khan, who is also a member of the Waves advisory board, said the summit is “a catalyst for creators, innovators, disruptors and dreamers at the confluence of heart and technology.”
“Here, industry leaders unite to chart the future, drive bold innovation and champion Indian creativity on the world stage,” Khan said.
Waves seeks to position India as a global hub for media, entertainment and digital innovation by highlighting the country’s talents in various media and entertainment fields, including films, gaming, comics, artificial intelligence and other emerging tech.
“Waves aims to unlock a $50 billion market by 2029, expanding India’s footprint in the global entertainment economy,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
International participation at the summit includes Saudi Arabia, with a delegation led by Saudi Esports Federation chairman, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, displaying the Kingdom’s entertainment sector achievements and ambitions, particularly in gaming and e-sports.
“Saudi Arabia and India recognize that the future belongs to nations investing not only in infrastructure, but in building ecosystems where technology, creativity, and talent intersect. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Modi, our countries are uniquely aligned in this belief,” Prince Faisal wrote in an op-ed published by the Delhi-based English daily, Indian Express.
“Saudi Arabia is excited to collaborate with India and other innovators to shape a future where gaming and e-sports reflect the diversity and ambition of the Global South.”
