'Make India your playground': PM Modi calls upon global content creators

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, calling it a global platform for storytellers, innovators, and policymakers. Addressing creators from over 100 nations, he urged them to “make India their playground” and dream big while telling powerful stories rooted in Indian culture.

Highlighting India’s cinematic legacy, PM Modi referred to iconic global milestones—Raj Kapoor’s popularity in Russia, Satyajit Ray’s acclaim at Cannes, and RRR’s Oscar win—as examples of India’s longstanding cultural export through films. He also stressed the importance of “creative responsibility” and storytelling that connects diverse audiences worldwide.

PM Modi emphasized the rise of the "Orange Economy," describing it as the sunrise sector built on content, creativity, and culture. He said India now offers immense potential for creators looking to scale their art globally. “The time is ripe for creating in India and creating for the world,” he said, reinforcing India's position as a content powerhouse.

He also spoke of the transformation of the Padma Awards into the “People’s Padma,” celebrating unsung heroes who have selflessly contributed to society. Modi connected this sentiment with storytelling—highlighting that the real stories of India lie with its people, waiting to be told on global platforms.

Extending wishes on Maharashtra and Gujarat Formation Day, Modi spoke briefly in Marathi and Gujarati, drawing applause from the audience. The summit, he said, is not just an event, but a cultural movement aiming to build a lasting creative ecosystem rooted in Indian values but open to the world.