New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest initiative – under 'Create in India' – to take Indian cinema and content global at a faster pace and on a larger scale – has drawn praise from industry stalwarts Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar. In his latest 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address to the nation on December 29, Prime Minister Modi announced that India will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit or WAVES for the first time in February.
Talking about it in detail, the Prime Minister said that the initiative will be a global platform for Indian creative talents, promoting collaborations and showcasing the country's potential as a hub for world-class content creation.
Speaking about the vision for the global entertainment summit, Prime Minister Modi explained that it will be similar to global events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “Leaders from the media and entertainment industries around the world will come together for the summit,” he said, adding that content creators, social media influencers and creative minds from around the world will also be part of the global event.
“This summit is an important step towards making India a hub for global content creation,” the Prime Minister said in his radio address.
The summit will also showcase India's progress in animation, gaming, entertainment technology and regional and mainstream cinema. “Whether you are a young creator or an established artist, associated with Bollywood or regional cinema, a TV industry professional, an expert in animation, gaming or an entertainment technology innovator, I encourage you to be a part WAVES Summit,” Prime Minister Modi said while inaugurating registration for the summit.
This initiative by the Prime Minister has received high praise from several industry leaders, including global superstars like Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar.
Shah Rukh Khan shared a video of the event, posted on X by Prime Minister Modi, calling it “an occasion that promotes and promotes creativity.” The actor-producer also said that he is looking forward to being a part of it. “I look forward with great anticipation to WAVES – a film and entertainment world summit – which will be held in our country itself.”
Mr Khan also wrote that it will be “an occasion that celebrates our industry and recognizes the role it plays in the Indian economy, as well as its strength as a soft power.”
I look forward with great anticipation to WAVES – a film and entertainment world summit – which will take place in our country itself. An occasion that celebrates our industry and recognizes the role it plays in the Indian economy, as well as its strength as a soft power… and… https://t.co/QE52Rs11NZ
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 30, 2024
Akshay Kumar also praised the Prime Minister for his vision of such a global summit and said, “This is Narendra Modi-ji's vision of promoting the media and entertainment sector. A very great idea. The Waves 2025 Summit will hopefully be a fantastic global forum to allow the entire entertainment industry to come together and grow.”
This is now PM @narendramodi ji's views on promoting the media and entertainment sector. A very wonderful idea. The Waves 2025 Summit will hopefully be a fantastic global forum where the entire entertainment industry can grow together. https://t.co/IBtadmxjpZ
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 29, 2024
Several other celebrities including Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Ritesh Sidhwani and Ektaa Kapoor also welcomed the initiative.
The five-day World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 5 to 9, 2025.