WAVES Summit Highlights: PM Modi inaugurates India’s first-ever entertainment summit, Ambani envisions a $100 bn media industry

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan announced that the platform has already paid Rs 21,000 crore to Indian creators and artists. He added that YouTube plans to invest an additional Rs 850 crore over the next two years to further support India’s booming creator economy. Mohan also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the largest YouTube following among world leaders, with over 25 million subscribers.

At WAVES 2025, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen emphasised the rise of India's creator economy, noting that more than 100 million content creators are driving digital transformation in the country. He highlighted a steady 10% growth in freelance creators over the past decade and predicted that the future of unicorns will be led not by tech apps, but by individual creators and artists. "Today, Adobe is empowering people everywhere to imagine, create, and bring their digital visions to life," Narayen said.

Speaking at WAVES 2025, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani stated that Asia is poised to lead the future of media creation and consumption. Highlighting the transformative power of artificial intelligence, he called it “a hundred times more revolutionary than the arrival of cameras in the silent film era,” adding that AI tools are dissolving the line between dreams and reality, making content “a thousand times more captivating.”

At the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, stating that India has emerged as a “front-ranking digital nation.” He emphasised that the fusion of storytelling with digital technologies presents not just a cultural and creative opportunity, but also a strategic and economic one, uniquely positioning India on the global innovation map.

Deepika Padukone praised the event for bringing together various creative industries under one roof. She expressed that the timing of the summit is perfect, especially as India is emerging as a significant player on the global stage. She highlighted WAVES' unique approach of integrating technology and AI, calling it a pioneering initiative that could be the first of its kind globally.

At the WAVES 2025 summit, Shah Rukh Khan reflected on how social media affects the younger generation's mindset. He noted, "Everyone wants to be seen because of social media, but in that rush, they’ve forgotten to see themselves." Emphasising self-awareness and purpose, he added, "Instead of wanting to be seen, walk on the path diligently and look at ourselves."

At the WAVES 2025 summit, during a candid conversation hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar, actor Deepika Padukone shared a rare personal insight, revealing that she is inherently shy. “I am a shy person, so it’s difficult for me to make friends and open up,” she said, adding that her childhood friends continue to keep her grounded.

Adding a light-hearted moment to the session, Karan Johar quipped that Shah Rukh Khan is “the most awkward person at parties,” drawing laughter from the audience and agreement from those who’ve seen the superstar’s off-screen persona.

Speaking at the session titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’ at the WAVES Summit 2025, superstar Shah Rukh Khan addressed the much-discussed insider-outsider debate in the film industry. He said, “I have a problem with the distinction between insider and outsider. What really matters is how you create your space in any world.” Emphasising self-belief over self-pity, Khan added, “No world gives a damn about you. You have to believe this is your world and carve your place in it.” Reflecting on his own journey, he said, “When I came into the film industry, I believed this was my world — and the industry welcomed me with open arms.”

Filmmaker Atlee, speaking at the WAVES 2025 summit in Mumbai, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural address, calling it deeply motivating. “WAVES is a wonderful platform. It’s going to inspire a new generation of media students, filmmakers, and storytellers,” he said.

Speaking at the WAVES 2025 summit in Mumbai, music maestro AR Rahman praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s keynote address, saying, “He articulated everything the young and older generations want. It’s very helpful, and we’re all proud of this initiative.”

Inaugurating the first-ever World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the historic significance of May 1—the day India’s first feature film Raja Harishchandra was released 112 years ago. “Since then, our entertainment industry has evolved tremendously and made a global impact,” he noted in his keynote address.

At the WAVES Summit 2025, music duo Meet Bros launched their new song “High in the Sky” as part of the Waves of India album. A post celebrating the release read, “Nayi wave hai, naya hai Hindustan! Immerse yourself in the sound of modern India with @meetbros and their uplifting track.”

Actor Nimrit Kaur praised the WAVES 2025 summit, calling it “a huge movement” and commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inspiring address. “He is so visionary,” she said in a video shared by ANI. “Creative forces from all states were present, and India is clearly establishing itself as a global creative power. It’s only a matter of time before fantastic initiatives emerge under WAVES.”