Kareena, Aamir, Nita Ambani Lead Talks at WAVES Summit 2025
Bollywood icons and global leaders share insights on cinema, culture, and content expansion at WAVES Summit 2025 Day 2 in Mumbai.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the four-day WAVES Summit 2025 here Thursday, bringing together policymakers, studio executives and film talent to map India’s trajectory in the global entertainment industry.
On Friday, the second day of the summit at Jio World Convention Centre focused on infrastructure, cultural outreach and the rising appeal of Indian cinema abroad. Actor-producer Aamir Khan opened the sessions with a call to expand India’s theatrical footprint. He noted that the country has about 10,000 cinema screens, compared with 40,000 in the United States and 90,000 in China, underscoring the need to grow venues to match demand.
A panel moderated by filmmaker Karan Johar later featured Kareena Kapoor Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Vijay Deverakonda discussing their commitment to Hindi-language films and the pull of Bollywood music and storytelling. Kapoor Khan said she relished performing in Hindi, citing the joy of dancing to local songs and delivering native dialogue. She recounted meeting a foreign driver who recognized a classic Raj Kapoor tune, illustrating Indian cinema’s global reach.
Jio Studios chairperson Nita Ambani delivered a keynote address titled "Taking Indian Culture to the World," outlining plans to promote regional content overseas and forge partnerships with international distributors. Ambani said India’s creative sector is poised for rapid expansion and urged stakeholders to position the country as a content leader.
Oppenheimer producer Charles Roven joined the conversation to contrast business models. He described his projects as globally targeted from inception, whether for streaming platforms or theatrical release. "I make films with international audiences in mind," Roven said. Aamir Khan agreed, noting that cross-border collaboration can boost India’s industry.
Tollywood star Allu Arjun praised the summit as a launchpad for India’s creative exports. He said the nation has always drawn on its diverse artistic heritage and now seeks to steer global cultural currents.
The WAVES Summit 2025 continues through Sunday with sessions on digital platforms, investment in talent and evolving viewer preferences. Officials said they expect over 200 speakers and 10,000 delegates during the four-day event.
