Creative Economy Key to India's GDP Growth, says PM Modi at WAVES Summit

Creative economy is important for India's GDP, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai. He emphasised that the orange economy, another term for the creative economy, will be powered by creators and platforms like WAVES will help strengthen this movement.

From films and music to gaming and animation, Modi said that all forms of creative expression are driving a new wave across India. “This summit is not just an acronym—it is a real wave, a wave of culture, creativity, and commerce,” he noted.

The Prime Minister highlighted that more than 100 countries were represented at the summit, bringing together global artists and policymakers. He recalled that India’s first feature film was released on May 3, 1913, and in just over a century, Indian cinema has reached Cannes, the Oscars, and beyond.

He said icons like Guru Dutt and A R Rahman have added to people's lives through their creativity, and that India's creative power—spanning more than six lakh villages with their own folk tales—needs to be shared with the world.

Modi also mentioned the government's support through initiatives like Skill India and Startup India, ensuring that creators are supported in every field. “This is the time to create in India and create for the world,” he said, adding that the WAVES platform will help take Indian stories global.

He further announced that WAVES will have its own awards, which will grow to be among the most significant in the art world. He expressed excitement about the Bharat Pavilion and noted that over 800 creators were selected as finalists in the creators’ challenge.

Modi said India is on the path to becoming the world's third-largest economy and already has the third-largest startup ecosystem. He called the WAVES summit a shining moment in that journey and urged continued collaboration to take India’s creativity to new heights.