30 April,2025 09:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
PM Modi will also visit the Cryptosphere pavilion and interact with artists selected under the “Create in India” initiative, the officials said. File Pic/ AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on May 1 to inaugurate India's first global audio-visual and entertainment summit-- WAVES 2025, the officials said on Wednesday.
The event being hosted by the Maharashtra government will be held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.
An official statement from the government said that the among the key dignitaries who will be attending the summit include Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Industries Minister Uday Samant, and Minister of Cultural Affairs and IT Adv. Ashish Shelar.
The event is being held under the theme "Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries".
ALSO READ
VP Dhankhar, PM Modi greet people of Maharashtra, Gujarat on states' formation day
PM Modi greets people of Maharashtra, Gujarat on states' formation day
"People of Gujarat have excelled in various fields," PM Modi extends greetings on Gujarat Day
Pahalgam terror attack: Modi-led CCS reviews J&K security situation
Anti-piracy app to be unveiled at WAVES summit to safeguard films like Sikandar
"It is a four-day summit and it will position India as a global hub for media, entertainment, and digital innovation," the officials said.
The statement said that the WAVES 2025 aligns with PM Modi's vision of combining creativity, technology, and talent.
The WAVES 2025 will feature segments such as films, OTT platforms, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR, and broadcasting technologies, the statement said.
It further said that is seen as a platform to showcase India's full potential in the media and entertainment sector, with expectations of opening a USD 50 billion market by 2029.
It said that for the first time, the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) will also be held in Mumbai during the summit, with participation from ministers of 25 countries and it marks a major milestone in India's international media engagement.
The WAVES 2025 will be a global e-marketplace and was likely to also witness the participation of over 6,100 buyers, 5,200 sellers, and 2,100 projects, creating massive opportunities for business and networking at local and global levels, the statement said.
PM Modi will also visit the Cryptosphere pavilion and interact with artists selected under the "Create in India" initiative, the officials said, adding that he will visit the India Pavilion and Maharashtra Pavilion.
The event has already seen over one lakh registrations, they said.
The summit will include 90+ countries, 10,000 delegates, 1,000 artists, 300+ companies, and 350+ startups. It will feature 42 keynote sessions, 39 special sessions, and 32 masterclasses, covering fields like broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR, film, and digital media, the statement said.
