WAVES 2025: PM Modi To Inaugurate Global Media Summit in Mumbai From May 1; 33 Nations To Attend, AR Rahman To Perform

The ‘World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit’ (WAVES) will be held at the Jio World Centre in BKC from May 1 to 4. The event, hosted by the Maharashtra government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1. Modi, along with key leaders including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, will attend the summit.

भारत आणि जगाच्या निर्मात्यांना जोडण्यासाठी, वर्ल्ड ऑडिओ व्हिज्युअल आणि एंटरटेनमेंट समिट २०२५ म्हणजेच वेव्हज येत आहे. एक असे शिखर संमेलन जे जगातील मीडिया आणि मनोरंजन क्षेत्रात प्रचंड प्रतिभा निर्माण करेल आणि #WAVESBazaar मध्ये रोजगाराचे असंख्य दरवाजे उघडेल.

#WAVES #WAVES2025 pic.twitter.com/YlohMJRCbP

— Info Director, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (@InfoMarathwada) April 28, 2025

Speaking at a press conference, Industry Minister Uday Samant said that Mumbai, an international city and the hub of Hindi and Marathi cinema, is a leading center for India’s entertainment sector. He highlighted that Maharashtra has been the top destination for foreign investment over the past three years, consistently maintaining its leadership in the industrial sector. From a tourism perspective, Maharashtra is now competing with countries on a global level. Samant added that the aim of the ‘WAVES’ is to showcase Maharashtra’s tourist destinations internationally. He also noted that the Central government’s decision to host the summit in Mumbai aligns with the goal of promoting Maharashtra’s culture worldwide.

Ministers and senior officials from 33 countries, along with CEOs from 120 international companies, will be attending the event. Several prominent actors and producers from Bollywood, Tollywood, and the Marathi film industry will also participate.

During the four-day event, pavilions for India, Maharashtra, Telangana and other organisations will be set up. The event will include discussions across various sectors, roundtable conferences, and cultural programs. Notably, on the third day, May 3, a musical performance by AR Rahman will be held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.