A Chance for India’s Creative Ecosystem to Make Waves

Context

• In a world marked by economic uncertainty, global trade tensions, and volatile stock markets, India has emerged as a beacon of resilience.
• Fuelled by its demographic dividend, technological advancements, and rich cultural heritage, the country stands poised to reimagine its global role, not just as an economic force, but as a creative powerhouse.
• Central to this vision is India’s rapidly evolving Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, which seeks to inspire and connect creators across the world through the motto: "Create in India, Create for the World."

The Rise of India's Creative Influence

• India's global influence in creative industries is rapidly growing, supported by a youthful, talented population engaged in diverse fields such as cinema, art, music, gaming, and technology.
• A shining example is Namit Malhotra’s visual effects company, DNEG, which played a pivotal role in the Oscar-winning film Dune 2, contributing to India’s seventh Oscar victory.
• Such milestones underscore India’s shift from traditional filmmaking to world-class digital production and storytelling innovation.

WAVES 2025: Nurturing the Ecosystem

• To further cement its status in the global M&E arena, the Government of India has launched the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES).
• Scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, the summit will feature the WAVES Xcelerator (WAVEX), a dynamic platform to support creative startups.
• This initiative aims to connect young Indian creators with global industry leaders, investors, and mentors, addressing key challenges such as funding, visibility, and mentorship.
• India’s M&E sector, valued at ₹2,422 billion in 2023, is projected to reach ₹3,067 billion by 2027.
• WAVEX is designed to catalyse this growth, particularly in frontier areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), gaming, the metaverse, and immersive media technologies.

Key Features of WAVES

• Inclusivity and Innovation at the Forefront
  • WAVEX also champions diversity and inclusivity by supporting women-led startups like Lapwing Studios and Vygr Media.
  • The program creates a launchpad for entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle for recognition on the global stage. It offers not just financial backing but a structured environment fostering long-term innovation and impact.
  • Innovative companies such as Erucanavis Technologies, known for their AI-driven playable ads, and Offline Human Studios, pushing the boundaries of VR storytelling, demonstrate the breadth and creativity within India’s startup ecosystem.
  • Ed-tech innovators like InscapeXR and Vision Impact are redefining learning using immersive technologies, reflecting the sector's interdisciplinary strength and cultural relevance.
• A Synergy of Art, Science, and Imagination
  • India’s creative revolution is not confined to the arts. It reflects a deeper synergy between culture and science, where experimentation thrives in both laboratories and art studios.
  • Institutions like the Museum of Art and Photography (MAP) and Science Gallery Bengaluru celebrate this convergence, illustrating how creativity transcends disciplines.
  • India’s storytelling tradition, spanning classical dance, cinema, comics, and now digital and immersive media, forms the cultural bedrock of this new creative economy.
  • The essence of India’s artistic spirit is not just about preserving heritage, but about transforming it into futuristic, globally relevant expressions.

Significance of WAVEX: A Vision for Tomorrow

• The spirit of creativity is most palpable among India’s youth, who are not only shaping today’s narratives but envisioning the future of global entertainment and culture.
• WAVES 2025 is more than an event; it’s an ambitious movement to fuel this energy and turn ideas into enterprises that can influence the world.
• As a catalyst for creative startups, WAVES represents the future of India's soft power.
• Its impact goes beyond economic metrics, it develops self-expression, cultural exchange, and identity formation in an interconnected world.
• The government’s support, paired with the visionary drive of creators and entrepreneurs, ensures that India is not just participating in the global creative economy, it is leading it.

Conclusion

• With initiatives like WAVES and the unrelenting spirit of its creators, the country is ready to inspire the world through its stories, innovations, and imagination.
• The vision of “Create in India, Create for the World” is not just a slogan; it is a declaration of intent, one that seeks to place Indian creativity at the heart of global culture and innovation.
• India stands on the cusp of a creative revolution and now is India’s moment, to lead, to inspire, and to create.

Q1. What is the goal of WAVES 2025?
Ans. The goal of WAVES 2025 is to support and showcase India’s creative startups on a global platform.

Q2. Which company contributed to Dune 2's Oscar-winning VFX?
Ans. Namit Malhotra’s company, DNEG, contributed to the Oscar-winning visual effects in Dune 2.

Q3. What is the vision driving India’s M&E sector?
Ans. The vision driving India’s Media & Entertainment sector is "Create in India, Create for the World."

Q4. Which sectors are supported by WAVEX?
Ans. WAVEX supports startups in animation, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming, and the metaverse.

Q5. What is India’s projected M&E sector value by 2027?
Ans. India’s Media & Entertainment sector is projected to reach a value of ₹3,067 billion by the year 2027. 

Source:The Hindu