Summit has brought together more than 10,000 creators, 300 companies, 350 startups
WAVES 2025 Summit, Mumbai, May 3 latest news: The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), currently underway at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai, has emerged as a landmark event for India's creative and entertainment industries. Launched on May 1, the summit has brought together more than 10,000 creators, 300 companies, 350 startups, and leaders from over 90 countries — uniting sectors from cinema to gaming to technology under one roof.
The event features 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout discussions, and 32 masterclasses, spanning broadcasting, infotainment, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality), digital media, and film.
Earlier today, a fireside chat titled “Streaming the New India: Culture, Connectivity and Creative Capital” took place from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm at Jasmine. The session featured Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos in conversation with actor Saif Ali Khan, offering insights into how streaming is shaping India’s cultural and creative ecosystem.
Next, a breakout session titled “Future of Cinema — Reimagining Filmmaking Through AI” was held from 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm in Room 205. Speakers Mandar Natekar and Raghavendra shared insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping storytelling, in a session moderated by Chaitanya Chinchlikar.
Simultaneously, another panel titled “Lights, Camera: How Virtual Production is Reshaping Global Cinema” took place in Jasmine I, featuring industry experts Ketan Mehta, Brian Nitzkin, Simon Ingram, and Ashish Kulkarni. The session explored the global impact of virtual production and its growing role in the future of filmmaking.
At 3:30 pm, a breakout session titled “Beyond Nostalgia: The Business of Restored Classics” is set to begin in Room 205. The panel will explore the untapped potential of cinema’s golden past and includes Kamal Gianchandani, Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Shehzad Sippy, Jackky Bhagnani, and Prakash Magdum, with renowned film critic Taran Adarsh moderating the discussion.
With thought-provoking sessions and high-profile industry participation, WAVES 2025 continues to serve as a vital platform for reimagining the future of entertainment in India and beyond.
