Context

• In a world marked by economic uncertainty, global trade tensions, and volatile stock markets, India has emerged as a beacon of resilience.
• Fuelled by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and rich cultural heritage, the country stands poised to reimagine its global role, not just as an economic force, but as a creative powerhouse.
• Central to this vision is India’s rapidly evolving Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, which seeks to inspire and connect creators across the world through the motto: "Create in India, Create for the World."

The Rise of India's Creative Influence

• India's global influence in creative industries is rapidly growing, supported by a youthful, talented population engaged in diverse fields such as cinema, art, music, gaming, and technology.
• A shining example is Namit Malhotra’s visual effects company, DNEG, which played a pivotal role in the Oscar-winning film Dune 2, contributing to India’s seventh Oscar victory.
• Such milestones underscore India’s shift from traditional filmmaking to world-class digital production and storytelling innovation.

WAVES 2025: Nurturing the Ecosystem

• To further cement its status in the global M&E arena, the Government of India has launched the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
• Scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, the summit will feature the WAVES Xcelerator (WAVEX), a dynamic platform to support creative startups.
• This initiative aims to connect young Indian creators with global industry leaders, investors, and mentors, addressing key challenges such as funding, visibility, and mentorship.
• India’s M&E sector, valued at ₹2,422 billion in 2023, is projected to reach ₹3,067 billion by 2027.
• WAVEX is designed to catalyse this growth, particularly in frontier areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), gaming, the metaverse, and immersive media technologies.

Key Features of WAVES

• Inclusivity and Innovation at the Forefront
  • WAVEX also champions diversity and inclusivity by supporting women-led startups like Lapwing Studios and Vygr Media.
  • The program creates a launchpad for entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle for recognition on the global stage. It offers not just financial backing but a structured environment fostering long-term innovation and impact.
  • Innovative companies such as Erucanavis Technologies, known for their AI-driven playable ads, and Offline Human Studios, pushing the boundaries of VR storytelling, demonstrate the breadth and creativity within India’s startup ecosystem.
  • Ed-tech innovators like InscapeXR and Vision Impact are redefining learning using immersive technologies, reflecting the sector's interdisciplinary strength and cultural relevance.
• A Synergy of Art, Science, and Imagination
  • India’s creative revolution is not confined to the arts. It reflects a deeper synergy between culture and science, where experimentation thrives in both laboratories and art studios.
  • Institutions like the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) and Science Gallery Bengaluru celebrate this convergence, illustrating how creativity transcends disciplines.
  • India’s storytelling tradition, spanning classical dance, cinema, comics, and now digital and immersive media, forms the cultural bedrock of this new creative economy.
  • The essence of India’s artistic spirit is not just about preserving heritage, but about transforming it into futuristic, globally relevant expressions.

Significance of WAVEX: A Vision for Tomorrow

• The spirit of creativity is most palpable among India’s youth, who are not only shaping today’s narratives but envisioning the future of global entertainment and culture.
• WAVES 2025 is more than an event; it’s an ambitious movement to fuel this energy and turn ideas into enterprises that can influence the world.
• As a catalyst for creative startups, WAVES represents the future of India's soft power.
• Its impact goes beyond economic metrics, it develops self-expression, cultural exchange, and identity formation in an interconnected world.
• The government’s support, paired with the visionary drive of creators and entrepreneurs, ensures that India is not just participating in the global creative economy, it is leading it.

Conclusion

• With initiatives like WAVES and the unrelenting spirit of its creators, the country is ready to inspire the world through its stories, innovations, and imagination.
• The vision of “Create in India, Create for the World” is not just a slogan; it is a declaration of intent, one that seeks to place Indian creativity at the heart of global culture and innovation.
• India stands on the cusp of a creative revolution and now is India’s moment, to lead, to inspire, and to create.