WAVES 2025: India’s Rise as a Global Creative Powerhouse in Technology and Entertainment

India’s ambition to become a global leader in the creative economy received a major boost on May 1, 2025, with the launch of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) at Mumbai's Jio World Convention Centre. The summit, a convergence of creators, storytellers, innovators, and policymakers from across the world, signals India’s readiness to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of global content creation, technology, and entertainment.

During the summit's inauguration, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a global audience, emphasizing the importance of India’s rich cultural heritage and its potential to lead in the creative industries. “India’s vast and diverse cultural landscape, filled with stories of science, fiction, and courage, provides a unique opportunity to lead global creativity. WAVES is not just an event, but a platform that belongs to every artist and creator," he said.

Modi highlighted that the future of global content will rely not only on technology but also on creativity, music, art, and culture. "While technology and information are essential, true human capability comes from creativity. We must ensure that humanity is not reduced to mere machines," he added, stressing the importance of fostering creativity alongside technological advancements.

WAVES 2025, with the theme "Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries," was designed to cement India's status as a hub for entertainment, innovation, and digital creativity. The summit also unveiled the WAVES Awards, poised to be the world’s largest recognition in creativity, further positioning India at the forefront of the creative economy.

 

A Global Call to Action for Creators

The event, attended by over 10,000 delegates from more than 90 countries, saw participation from prominent figures in global entertainment and technology. India’s growing influence in the digital entertainment landscape was underscored by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who declared, “Our next big export is digital creativity. In Mumbai, we don’t just ride the waves; we create them.”

Stars from Bollywood, including Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, graced the summit, making a strong statement about India’s prominence in global entertainment.

 

UAE, Technology, and Entertainment’s Intersection

For the UAE, a country known for its burgeoning tech sector and entertainment influence in the region, WAVES represents an opportunity to foster cross-border collaborations, particularly in the realm of entertainment technology. The UAE has long been a hub for media and film production, and the country's increasing investment in AI, VR, and AR for entertainment purposes makes it an ideal partner for India’s creative ecosystem.

With India’s digital revolution and the UAE’s advanced technological infrastructure, both nations can benefit from this collaboration, particularly in building innovative platforms for content distribution and virtual entertainment. Furthermore, UAE companies specializing in technology could play a crucial role in supporting India’s content creators with the latest digital tools and platforms, ensuring a seamless fusion of creativity and technology.

 

Legal Perspective: Intellectual Property and Creative Economy

From a legal standpoint, India’s emergence as a global creative powerhouse brings about significant implications for intellectual property (IP) laws. As the entertainment industry in India expands, the country will need to strengthen its IP frameworks to safeguard the creative works of content creators, both domestic and international.

IP protection is essential not only for fostering innovation but also for encouraging foreign investment in India's entertainment sector. Strengthening copyright and trademark laws will be critical as India continues to attract global creators, tech companies, and investors looking to capitalize on India’s creative potential.

 

WAVES 2025: A New Era for Global Creativity

As the WAVES summit continues through its four-day run, the buzz surrounding India’s creative economy is palpable. The collaboration between India, the UAE, and other global stakeholders in entertainment and technology will no doubt shape the future of content creation and distribution.

With WAVES 2025, India is set to lead the way in global creativity, blending culture, technology, and entertainment to create an ecosystem that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and respect for intellectual property.

 

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