India stands on the cusp of a global entertainment revolution, and it is poised to lead it. This was the powerful message delivered by Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani at the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai. With a confident vision, Ambani declared that India, a “civilization of stories,” is uniquely positioned to become the epicenter of the world’s entertainment industry.
Ambani emphasized India’s deep-rooted storytelling heritage, stating, “From our timeless epics to mythological tales, storytelling is our heritage. Content is king—and good stories always sell. This timeless principle is the foundation of global entertainment.” He highlighted that this inherent strength, combined with the nation’s dynamic demography and technological prowess, forms the bedrock for India’s ascent in the global entertainment landscape.
Dismissing the notion that media and entertainment are merely India’s “soft power,” Ambani asserted, “I call it India’s real power,” underscoring the country’s growing influence in shaping global culture and creativity. He pointed to two significant shifts driving this transformation: the rising economic power of the Global South, home to 85% of the world’s population and a burgeoning hub for content creation and consumption, and the transformative impact of technologies like Artificial Intelligence across the entire entertainment value chain.
Ambani outlined three key pillars that will propel India to the forefront of this revolution:
- Compelling Content: Rooted in India’s rich storytelling traditions and diverse cultural landscape.
- Dynamic Demography: A massive and youthful population, serving as both creators and a vast consumer base with increasing aspirations.
- Technological Leadership: India’s rapid digital transformation, fueled by affordable high-speed internet and a burgeoning digital infrastructure, positions it as a leader in the technological evolution of media and entertainment. He proudly noted that “Indian VFX is now powering Hollywood blockbusters,” and the nation produces millions of hours of content annually across various languages and formats.
Ambani painted an optimistic picture of the industry’s potential, stating that India’s media and entertainment sector, currently valued at $28 billion, has the potential to grow fivefold to over $100 billion in the next decade. This growth, he emphasized, will unlock unprecedented opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship across diverse fields. He urged the industry to seize this “humongous opportunity” by investing in state-of-the-art content clusters, training young talent in areas like animation and VFX, and fostering an enabling regulatory environment that rewards creativity and inclusion.
Ambani credited Reliance Jio for its pivotal role in India’s digital and entertainment revolution by making high-speed internet affordable and accessible to millions. He highlighted the success of JioCinema in breaking viewership records and redefining IP streaming, setting global standards for immersive, multi-language, interactive sports viewing. Furthermore, he emphasized the strategic partnership with Disney and the ambition of Jio Hotstar to match and surpass the impact of leading global entertainment creators, aiming to establish India as a leader in the global entertainment sector.
In a world facing polarization and uncertainty, Ambani stressed the unifying power of entertainment. He called for global collaborations and urged Indian creators to take their stories to the world, emphasizing the universal appeal of Indian values and narratives. He concluded with a message of hope: “People all over the globe are hungry for entertainment that is healthy, wholesome and brings hope and happiness. India can satisfy this hunger better than any country in the world.”
Key Highlights:
- Mukesh Ambani envisions India leading a new global entertainment revolution, driven by its rich storytelling heritage, dynamic demography, and technological advancements.
- He believes India’s media and entertainment industry can grow from $28 billion to over $100 billion in the next decade, creating significant economic opportunities.
- Ambani highlighted the crucial role of Reliance Jio in India’s digital transformation and its contribution to the growth of the entertainment sector through platforms like JioCinema and Jio Hotstar.
- He called for strategic investments in content creation, talent development, and a supportive regulatory environment to unlock India’s full potential in the global entertainment landscape.