India is not a follower in the media and entertainment space anymore, but a leader—that's the message put across by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani. While speaking at the opening session of the WAVES 2025 conference at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, he stated that India has now come to an exceptional place in the areas of technology, creativity and markets.
Ambani stated that the country's youth population, increasing digital infrastructure base and world population have placed the nation at the forefront as a major global hub of media and entertainment. "India boasts the world's biggest population, whose average age is just 29. What that implies is we are rapidly emerging as a creative, economic, and technology-based superpower," he said.
He also added, "India is not lagging behind in the media technology revolution, but is leading it. Indian VFX is being utilized today in films produced by Hollywood. We produce millions of hours of content every year—movies, web series, songs, games—all with multiple languages and formats. Indian media is diverse."
He also spoke about pride in Jio's contribution in his address. "1.2 billion mobile phones mean 1.2 billion screens. Today, each individual is able to consume entertainment, and even become creators themselves. Jio's contribution behind this change is huge. By providing cheap internet to everyone, we have created a digital revolution," said Mukesh Ambani.
He stressed, "JioCinema has broken new records, established new international benchmarks in interactive sports viewing experiences. Our partnership with Disney—Jio Hotstar—has brought in a new dawn. We are constructing a platform that will compete, and perhaps even outdo, the international market."
He provided four main directions to the conference attendees. First and foremost, the Indian media and entertainment industry can grow to a $100 billion market size in the coming decade – a chance that cannot be overlooked. Secondly, he urged the development of contemporary content hubs all over the nation. He highlighted training in animation, VFX and AI technologies. Thirdly, new sources of funding in the industry are needed. And fourthly, he demanded an inspiring and facilitative policy-driven scenario where creativity and imagination are encouraged.
Looking back, he declared, "Even without technology, artists like Raj Kapoor, Satyajit Ray or Aamir Khan have established the image of Indian cinema in the world. Today, we have to project that history in a more contemporary and creative manner."
The four-day WAVES 2025 hosted over 10,000 delegates representing more than 90 countries, 1,000 innovative creatives, over 300 organisations and more than 350 start-ups. The forum has 42 plenary sessions, 39 breaks and 32 masterclasses for different fields in media.
For the first time, the Global Media Dialogue (GMD) is taking place as part of WAVES—where ministers from 25 nations are likely to further boost India's presence in global media. It will also include WAVES Bazaar—an international e-marketplace where more than 6,000 buyers, 5,000 sellers and more than 1,000 projects will meet one another.
Overall, WAVES 2025 is not merely a conference, but a worldwide platform for showcasing India's technological and creative prowess.
