May 1, 2025 | Mumbai : WAVES Summit Mumbai kick off today had a powerful confluence of tradition, talent, and technology. The inaugural edition of the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) launched at Mumbai’s Jio World Centre with cinematic grandeur and global ambition. But it was not just about lights, cameras, and action—it was about legacy, inspiration, and India’s creative heartbeat.
“Legends & Legacies” Panel Steals the Spotlight at WAVES Summit Mumbai
The opening panel, aptly titled “Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul”, set a deeply emotional and reflective tone for the summit. Featuring Hema Malini, Mohanlal, and Chiranjeevi, and deftly moderated by Bollywood’s Akshay Kumar, the session brought the wisdom of decades to center stage.
Dream girl Hema Malini called the WAVES summit “a beautiful initiative,” lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating a platform that elevates creative voices. “Thanks to his vision and leadership, WAVES has emerged as a global home for storytellers,” she said.
Malayalam megastar Mohanlal blurred the lines between mainstream and parallel cinema. “Whether it’s called art or commercial, it’s the story that stays with people,” he said, emphasizing how evolving narratives now transcend genres and definitions.
Telugu icon Chiranjeevi brought an emotional depth to the discussion, opening up about his humble beginnings and enduring love for acting. “I’ve always aimed to be the boy next door. My performances are shaped by that desire to stay real and relatable,” he shared, paying homage to legends like Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, and Kamal Haasan who inspired his journey.
Global Creative Ecosystem in the Making: WAVES Brings 100+ Nations Together for Entertainment Future
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the WAVES 2025 summit, addressing a diverse audience of artists, innovators, investors, and policymakers from over 100 countries.
“This is not just an event—it’s the birth of a global ecosystem for talent and creativity,” said the Prime Minister. “World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit is a movement, a wave of culture and universal connection, where storytelling in every form—films, music, gaming, animation—finds a common stage.”
A Platform Beyond Borders: WAVES Opens With Cinematic Icons Hema, Mohanlal & Chiranjeevi
With its ambitious scope, World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit aims to become a permanent, global platform that bridges continents through creative collaboration. Whether it’s a first-time animator in Seoul or a screenwriter in Sao Paulo, WAVES envisions a space where talent speaks louder than borders.
As the summit unfolds, it promises more than panels—it offers a glimpse into the future of entertainment, where India positions itself as a global hub of creativity.