Mumbai: On Thursday, Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries (RIL), shared his vision for the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, being held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai. During his address, Ambani highlighted that India’s media and entertainment industry, currently valued at $28 billion, is projected to surpass $100 billion over the next decade.

He also commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his presence at the summit, particularly in the wake of “the recent barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam,” emphasizing the strong message of “hope, unity, and unshakable resolve” that the Prime Minister conveyed.

Ambani said, “We know your extraordinary responsibilities — particularly after the recent barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam. Therefore, your coming here sends a strong message. A message of hope, unity, and unshakable resolve. All of us gathered here offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Modi ji, you have the full support of 145 crore Indians in this fight against the enemies of peace, justice and humanity. Their defeat is certain. India’s victory is also certain.”

“India’s entertainment and cultural industry is not just soft power — it is real power. In an increasingly turbulent and uncertain world, our stories give the hope of a better future with their power to unite, inspire, and enrich. In our civilizational heritage of over 5,000 years, we have vast treasure troves of timeless tales — from the Ramayana and Mahabharata to folklore and classics in dozens of languages. They touch people’s hearts around the world because they celebrate universal human values ─ brotherhood, compassion, courage, love, beauty, and care for nature. No nation can match India’s storytelling power, ” he said.

Ambani further said, “Our ancient nation is currently experiencing unprecedented rejuvenation with the power of modern technologies. Under Modi ji’s leadership, India has become a front-ranking digital nation. The fusion of storytelling and digital technologies is again unique to India. It has multiplied the impact and reach of entertainment and cultural e experiences beyond imagination. The tools of AI and immersive technologies can make our stories more captivating than ever before — and take them instantly to audiences across languages, countries, and cultures. By mastering these tools, I am confident that India’s super-talented young creators will rule the global entertainment industry with blockbusters.”

Talking about the upcoming growth in the sector, Ambani said, “This is not just a cultural or creative opportunity — it is a strategic and economic opportunity as well. India’s media and entertainment industry is today valued at $28 billion. It can grow to over $100 billion in the next decade. This growth will drive entrepreneurship, generate millions of jobs, and create a ripple effect across sectors.”

“Today we solemnly assure you that we will make WAVES the world’s foremost entertainment platform — one with an Indian soul and a global voice. By forging deep partnerships with the best minds and studios from every corner of the world, we will grow this summit year after year. WAVES will become the gathering place of dreamers, makers, and changemakers. This is just the beginning. The best is yet to come. Let the stories flow. Let the waves rise,” the RIL CMD concluded. DeshGujarat