Full text: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at WAVES 2025

PM Modi inaugurated the WAVES 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on Thursday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Addressing an audience that included actors, creators, and business leaders from over 100 countries, PM Modi said India is a powerhouse of storytelling.

Here is the full text of PM Modi's address:

Heartiest greetings to all brothers and sisters on Maharashtra Day today. Also, today is the foundation day of Gujarat. On the occasion of Gujarat's Foundation Day, heartfelt wishes to all Gujaratis across the world. Wishing all the Gujarati brothers and sisters living across the globe a very happy Gujarat Foundation Day.

Present at the WAVES Summit are the Governor of Maharashtra, C.P. Radhakrishnan ji; the popular Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis ji; my colleagues from the Union Cabinet, Ashwini Vaishnaw ji and L. Murugan ji; Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde ji; dignitaries from Creative World; ministers of Information, Communication, Arts, and Culture from various countries; ambassadors from different nations; faces from the creative world connected from all corners of the globe; other distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

Today, here in Mumbai, artists, innovators, investors, and policy makers from over 100 countries have gathered under one roof. In a way, this is a confluence of global talent and global creativity, where the foundation of a global creative ecosystem is being laid. The World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit, or WAVE, is not just an acronym. It truly is a wave — a wave of culture, creativity, and universal connection. Riding this wave are films, music, gaming, animation, storytelling — an infinite world of creativity.

WAVE is a global platform that belongs to every artist and creative mind like you. It is a place where every artist, every youth, will connect with the creative world through fresh ideas. On this historic and grand beginning, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and warm welcome to all the distinguished guests from India and around the world.

Friends, today is May 1st — and exactly 112 years ago, on May 3, 1913, India's first feature film, Raja Harishchandra, was released. Its creator was Dadasaheb Phalke, and coincidentally, his birth anniversary was just yesterday. Over the past century, Indian cinema has succeeded in taking India to the far corners of the world. The popularity of Raj Kapoor in Russia, Satyajit Ray at Cannes, or RRR’s success at the Oscars — all reflect this global reach.

Whether it is Guru Dutt’s cinematic poetry, Ritwik Ghatak’s social reflections, A.R. Rahman’s melodies, or Rajamouli’s epics, each story has become a voice of Indian culture and touched the hearts of millions around the world. Today, on this special stage of WAVE, we have honored many legends of Indian cinema through postal stamps.

Friends, over the past years, I’ve interacted with people from the world of gaming, music, filmmaking, and faces who shine on the screen. In these conversations, the creative strength of India, its creative capabilities, and the potential for global collaboration were often discussed. Whenever I met people from the creative world, I would take ideas from you all — and that gave me an opportunity to deeply understand this field. Then, I even conducted an experiment. Six to seven years ago, on the occasion of 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi, I inspired singers from 150 countries to sing his favorite bhajan: Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye. Written by Narsinh Mehta ji, this bhajan is over 600 years old. But during Gandhi 150, artists from all over the world sang it, and it had a huge impact. The world came together.

Many of you sitting here today were part of that initiative — you created 2-3 minute videos to spread Gandhi ji’s thoughts. That collective strength of the creative world — from India and abroad — showed us what is possible. Today, the very same vision has taken shape on the ground as WAVE.

Friends, just like a new sun paints the sky with color, this summit began shining from its very first moment. Even in its very first edition, WAVE is already drawing the attention of the world. The hard work of all the members associated with our advisory board is clearly visible here today. In recent days, you have conducted large-scale creator challenges and studied the creative sphere extensively. Around one lakh creative individuals from nearly 60 countries participated in this initiative. From 32 challenges, 800 finalists have been selected. I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the finalists. You have been given the opportunity to do good in the world, to do something.

Friends, I’ve been informed that here, in the India Pavilion, you have created many new and innovative things. I am very eager to see it for myself — and I will definitely visit. The “WAVES Bazaar” initiative is also very interesting. It will encourage new creators and help them connect with emerging markets. In the field of art, the idea of connecting buyers and sellers is truly commendable.

Friends, we see that from the very beginning of a child’s life — right from birth — the relationship with the mother begins with a lullaby. The first sound a child hears is from the mother, and it is through music that the child begins to understand sound. Just like a mother weaves dreams for her child, the people of the creative world weave the dreams of an era. WAVES’ purpose is to bring together such people — the creators, the dreamers, the visionaries.

Friends, from the Red Fort, I had spoken about the importance of “Sabka Prayas” — everyone’s effort. And today, my belief in that vision has grown even stronger. Your collective efforts will surely take the WAVES’ initiative to greater heights in the coming years.

I would also like to make a special request to industry partners — just as you extended your support during this first summit, please continue that hand-holding and mentorship moving forward. Right now, WAVES is just beginning to form its many beautiful waves. In the future, WAVES awards will be launched, which are set to become the most prestigious honors in the world of art and creativity.  We must stay committed. We must win the hearts of the world. We must win the hearts of every person.

Friends, India is rapidly moving towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy. Today, India ranks number one in global fintech adoption. It is the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. And it has the third-largest startup ecosystem globally. Our journey toward a developed India has only just begun — and India has much more to offer. India is not only a country of over a billion people — it is also a nation that welcomes millions of tourists.

Two thousand years ago, when Bharat Muni wrote the Natyashastra, his message was: “Nāṭyam Bhāvayati Lokam” — Art evokes emotion in the world. Art brings emotion, feeling, sensitivity to society. Centuries ago, when Kalidasa wrote Abhijnanasakuntalam, India gave a new direction to classical drama. In India, every street has a story, every mountain sings a song, every river hums a tune. If you travel through our 600,000 plus villages, you’ll find each one has its own folk traditions and storytelling styles. Across generations, communities have passed down history through folk tales. Here, music is a form of devotion — whether it’s bhajans, ghazals, classical, or contemporary. Every note tells a story; even rhythm carries a soul.

Friends, in our tradition, we imagine “Nāda Brahma” — the Divine Sound. Our deities themselves express through music and dance. Shiva’s damaru (drum) is the first sound of creation. Ma Saraswati’s veena symbolizes the rhythm of knowledge and wisdom. Sri Krishna’s flute echoes the eternal message of love and beauty. Vishnu’s conch (shankh) signifies a call for positive energy. We have so much to offer — and the cultural performances you’ve seen here today are a reflection of that rich heritage. That’s why I say, this is the time, the right time.

This is truly the right time for "Create in India, Create for the World." Today, when the world is seeking new ways of storytelling, India holds a treasure trove of stories that span thousands of years. And this treasure is timeless, thought-provoking, and truly global. And it's not just cultural topics. It includes science, sports, heroic tales, and stories of struggle. Our stories contain science, fiction, courage, and bravery. India’s narrative basket is vast and diverse. Taking this treasure to every corner of the world, presenting it to future generations in new and engaging ways, is a major responsibility of the WAVES platform.

Friends, most of you may know that the Padma Awards were initiated just a few years after independence. For many decades, these awards were given out. But we transformed them into “People’s Padma.” We identified people living in remote corners of the country, those who dedicated their lives to the service of society. We gave them recognition and honor — and in doing so, the very nature of the Padma tradition changed. Now, the whole nation embraces it wholeheartedly — it’s no longer just a formal event, but a celebration for the entire country. WAVES is built in a similar spirit. In the creative world — in film, music, animation, gaming — the talent hidden across every corner of India deserves a platform. And when that happens, the world will certainly appreciate it.

Friends, India’s approach to content creation offers a unique advantage. We believe in the principle of "Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions.". This reflects our civilizational openness. It is with this mindset that the Parsis came to India, and even today, they proudly thrive here. Jews came here and made India their home. Every society, every nation has its own achievements and traditions. And right now, in this very event, we have ministers and delegates from many countries, each with its own rich civilization. Welcoming global ideas, honoring them, is the strength of Indian culture. That’s why together we can create exceptional content that reflects the unique achievements of each culture and country. It will also strengthen our vision of global connection.

Friends, today I want to assure creators across the world: When you connect with India, when you explore India’s stories, you’ll find tales so relatable that you’ll feel — “Oh! This happens in my country too!” You will form a natural bond with India, and then, our mantra — “Create in India” — will feel effortless and intuitive to you.

Friends, this is the dawn of India’s Orange Economy — Content, Creativity, and Culture are the core pillars of this economy. Indian films are now reaching every corner of the globe. Today, Indian movies are released in over 100 countries. And foreign audiences don’t just watch Indian films casually —they try to understand them. That’s why a growing number of international viewers are now watching Indian content with subtitles. In India, the OTT industry has shown 10x growth in recent years. Screen sizes may be shrinking, but the scope is becoming infinite. The screen is getting micro, but messages are becoming more mega. Indian food is increasingly becoming a global favorite. I believe that in the coming days, Indian music too will become a global identity.

Friends, India's creative economy has the potential to contribute even more to the GDP in the coming years. Today, India is becoming a global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, and music. There are numerous opportunities in the live concert-related industries as well. Today, the global animation market is worth more than 430 billion dollars, and it is expected to double. This presents a huge opportunity for India's animation and graphic industry.

Friends, in this boom of the orange economy, I would like to use this WAVES platform to speak to every young creator in the country—whether you're a musician from Guwahati, a podcaster from Kochi, a game designer in Bengaluru, or a filmmaker in Punjab—you are all bringing a new wave to India's economy. A wave of creativity, driven by your hard work and passion. And our government is with you in every effort—from 'Feel India' initiatives to startup support, from policies for the ABC (Audio, Broadcast, and Creative) industry to WAVES platforms—we are consistently working to make your dreams come true. We are creating an environment where your ideas and imagination are valued, where new dreams are born, and where you are empowered to realize those dreams.

The WAVES Summit will also provide you with a major platform—one where creativity and coding come together, where software and storytelling unite, where art meets augmented reality. Make full use of this platform. Dream big. Put all your strength into making those dreams come true.

Friends, I have full faith in you—because you are content creators. And there's a reason for that. In the spirit and working style of youth, there are no barriers, no baggage, no boundaries. So your creativity flows freely, without hesitation or reluctance. I have personally interacted with many young creators and gamers recently. I also observe your creativity on social media. I feel your energy. It is no coincidence that, at a time when India has the world’s largest young population, we are also seeing new dimensions of creativity emerge.

Reels, podcasts, games, animation, startups, AR/VRs, and other formats, our young minds are doing brilliant work in every one of these formats. In a very true sense, WAVES is for your generation, to help you reimagine and redefine creativity with your energy and efficiency in this entire revolution.

Friends, I want to discuss another topic in front of all the giants of the creative world. This topic is Creative Responsibility. We all see that in the 21st century, which is tech-driven century, technology’s role in every individual’s life is getting increased day by day. In such a world, we need extra efforts to maintain human emotions. And only the creative world can do that. We must ensure that humans don’t turn into robots. We need to make humans more sensitive, more enriched. Human prosperity won’t come from mountains of information. It won’t come from the speed and reach of technology either. For this, we must emphasize songs, music, art, and dance. For thousands of years, these have kept human emotions alive. We must always keep strengthening them.

We must also remember one more crucial thing Today, our younger generation needs protection from inhuman thoughts. WAVES is such a platform that can do this work. If we step back from this responsibility, it will be extremely harmful to the younger generation.

Friends, today technology has opened up a sky for the creative world. This is why global coordination is now equally important. I am confident that this platform will connect our creators with global storytellers, our animators with global visionaries, and our gamers with global champions.

I invite all global investors and global creators to make India your content playground. To creators of the world, dream and tell your story. To the investors, invest not just in platform, but in people. To Indian youth, tell your own billion untold stories to the world.

I wish you again all the very best for the first WAVES Summit. Thank you so much, and Namaskar.