Waves Summit 2025 Highlights: Allu Arjun joins Talent Beyond Borders panel, SRK-Deepika bring chemistry to stage

At Waves Summit, Mukesh Ambani said, "India's media and entertainment industry is today valued at USD 28 billion. It can grow to over USD 100 billion in the next decade. This growth will drive entrepreneurship, generate millions of jobs, and create a ripple effect across sectors."

During the Talent Beyond Borders session, Allu Arjun said he wants to take Indian cinema to a global level by pushing boundaries. "With all due respect to every other film industry in the world, whether it is Hollywood films, Korean films, Iranian films, or Chinese films, everybody has had an impact on global box office. We have such a big film industry and we've been there for so many decades. But we never had a serious impact on the global box office. I feel it's just about time... India is getting there. We, as a country, are growing and in the coming years, Indian film industry will make a global mark," Arjun said.

Allu Arjun shared, "Every movie is unique, and no movie should repeat itself, but we all have patterns, and we all try to come up with something original. I think versatility is a by-product."

Allu Arjun was asked about being a perfectionist and how he took over 17 shots for the dupatta scene in Pushpa 2. "We took 17 to 18 shots for the dupatta flying shot in Pushpa 2: The Rise. We started in the morning around 8 am or 9 am, and around 11-11:30 am, I started to get the rhythm of the take, and we were going to do it until we got it correct. So around 4 or 4:30 pm, we got it right. I want to serve the best of my ability to my fans," shared the actor.

Actor Allu Arjun opened up about his accident on the sets of Pushpa 2 and shared, "While shooting Pushpa 2, I met with an accident due to which I had a shoulder tear, and the doctor asked me to rest for six months. And that’s when I realised that as I am ageing."

Allu Arjun is among the first South Indian stars to sport a six-pack. At Waves Summit, the actor revealed why he decided to develop a six-pack. He said, "It is about the mindset. 20 years back I knew that it needs only one person to break that. Someone motivated me by saying, 'I do not think South actors can come up with six packs.' One of the actresses I worked with said that and then it became like a challenge and I could do it."

At the summit, Allu Arjun said, "Obviously fitness is a very keen aspect of every actor. Especially with Indian actors as we have to dance, we have to fight, and we do not know when the schedule will start. So fitness is extremely important. I started at the age of 19-20 and over the year we get a lot of experiences and injuries. It is extremely tough but it is worth it when you see yourself on the big screen."

Allu Arjun was asked how his life has changed post the success of Pushpa 2. The actor shared that he is exploring how to address the love that he has got from the audience. He shared he is a natural actor and has a long way to go. Allu Arjun made the crowd go wild with his Pushpa singnature move.

Pushpa actor Allu Arjun is on the stage for a panel discussion titled ‘Talent Beyond Borders’.

Akshay Kumar shared a video and wrote, "FAU-G: Domination is LIVE — and Bharat is ready for war!This isn’t just a game. It’s India’s answer, built with Make in India pride. Bigger maps. Bolder missions. We play to dominate."

Deepika Padukone shared in her "me time" she focuses on everyday things like running her house. "There's a study where all the mail comes. I sort out all of it. Cleaning the kitchen, checking vegetable stock for the week, laundry, I don't know any other way. Maybe because I started out this way. I didn't have a big house earlier. I didn't have house help," she said.

Deepika Padukone reflected on her journey and said, "Today when I look back at the journey... For an 18-year-old to move to a big city, it was a big decision to make. Those little things, having to navigate life with trial and error. Overall, when I look back I say not bad, well done. I am actually going to tell myself I have done pretty well. You don't really sit back and look at the journey. I don't celebrate the moments too much. I look at things in a straightforward way."

Rajinikanth attended the event in Mumbai with his daughters Aishwarya Rajinikanth and Soundarya Rajinikanth. Sharing a photo, Soundarya wrote, "With appa and akka in Mumbai for @WAVESummitIndia #WAVES2025."

Shah Rukh Khan reflected on his journey and asked all to be 'gentle'. He expressed his gratitude for the love from the audience especially in India and said, "The love I got from this country has made me kinder."

Deepika remarked that the Waves Summit couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time. She emphasized that the integration of technology and AI at the summit makes it a pioneering initiative, possibly the first of its kind in the world.

Shah Rukh shared, "Waves comes at a time when the film industry has been asking for industry status. Shooting processes should become easier for Indian filmmakers and also those from coming from abroad. When festivals like Waves happen, every fifth person in the world is Indian and such festivals can take Indian movies to the global stage. The call of the day is more theatres, simpler and cheaper theatres at cheaper rates otherwise it is becoming expensive in big towns. Then the China model we will have that many cinemas and the footfalls can increase."

Shah Rukh discussed about the dependency of today's generation on social media and said, "Every one wants to be seen because of social media but in that rush they have forgotten to see themselves. Instead of wanting to be seen, walk on the path diligently and look at ourselves."

Shah Rukh Khan shared during the session, "I have too much respect for women. I feel genuine love for every woman I meet. I find them gentle, kind and they are connected to nature."

Deepika Padukone revealed, "I am a shy person so it is difficult for me to make friends and open up. My friends from school, they keep me grounded." Karan Johar said how Shah Rukh Khan is indeed the most awkward in a party.

SRK elaborated on not feeling lonely and said, "You can never be lonely if you can make your children laugh. If you don't have kids then make your parents laugh and you will never be lonely."

Shah Rukh Khan quoted his iconic line from Om Shanti Om, saying he felt like the king of the world when Karan Johar remarked about his resilience. SRK went on to share that he doesn’t work to meet expectations, but rather approaches his craft with sincerity. He added that what truly drives him is the joy of making people smile and feel happy.

Shah Rukh Khan added, "What happens is most people start thinking 'Oh, am from the outside world, only privileged will get a role, I do not have a distinguished background, I will not get it.' So if you start following these petty things you will never give your full force of energy to make a space for yourself."

Deepika Padukone shared about her new role of a mother with daughter Dua and said, "I am navigating what this new life as a mother would be like for me."

Talking to Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone shared that when she began her career she was just a 16-17-year-old who came to a new world from Bengalore and Farah Khan showed interest in casting her in a movie. "I was auditioning. Farah told me that you will meet Shah Rukh once he was back from Australia where he was shooting for Chak De!. For me it just happened, of course I was a model before and they had seen some of my work. I never felt like I was an outsider trying to make my place. I had the dedication, passion, determination, the hard work, those were the things in my control and those where the things which I applied to what I was passionate about," shared Deepika.

SRK shared how he rejected a film's script which was brought by Karan Johar. "A few years back, KJo came to my house with a script and the script required me to wear a skirt throughout the film. That's when I stepped back from the script for the first time," shared SRK.

Reflecting on his own journey, Shah Rukh added, "When I came to the film industry, I believed this is my world and the industry embraced me with open arms like a new sun landing on the Marine drive."

Shah Rukh Khan said at the event, "I also have a problem with this insider and outside. I do not think it is important that where you come from and want to make stay in this world. But what is important is that how you are making a place for your self in whatever you do, films, business anything."

Karan Johar shared that every achievement of Shah Rukh Khan feel personal to the entire nation. Talking about being an 'outsider' in the Indian cinema, Karan asked SRK that what was that huger that fueled him at the start of his career to make it big. Replying to this, Shah Rukh shared that he do not believe in words like 'hunger, ambition'. "All these are lofty words to describe yourself and say ki 'mai bht bhukh tha, maine bht mehnat ki' as these are the wonderful words once you have made it big and I do not believe in them."

At the discussion, Shah Rukh Khan said about Deepika Padukone, "I think the role she is going to play the best, is that of a mother, with Dua. I think she is really really going to be a wonderful mom."

A session, titled ‘The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler’, is about to begin with Karan Johar as the moderator and actors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone as speakers.

Israeli actor Aki Avni appreciated the event and called it a "victory" for India in the entertainment industry."I am very happy to be here at this fantastic event. This is a wonderful victory for India as a top (entertainment) industry," he said.

Singer Himesh Reshammiya praised PM Modi's 'vision' and said at Waves Summit 2025, "Our Prime Minister has a fantastic vision. I am highly honoured to be here. This is just the beginning. All of us are blessed to have such a huge platform."

Actor Nimrit Kaur praised the summit, and called it “a huge movement. Talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, "He is so visionary. Creative forces from all states were present, and India is clearly establishing itself as a global creative power. It’s only a matter of time before fantastic initiatives emerge under Waves."

Boney Kapoor lauded government support at Waves Summit 2025. The filmmaker praised the Indian and Maharashtra governments and said, "It is a fantastic initiative. We had PM Narendra Modi's encouragement. The entire government and the Maharashtra government are backing it. It is a great move to boost the entertainment industry." He also commended the event for acknowledging the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and added, "It was a good platform to talk about it because we had people from all across the world. They should know how strongly we feel against what happened there."

Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala attended the Waves Summit 2025 event together. In an inside clip, the duo were seen obliging fans with selfies.

Music composer AR Rahman was asked about PM Modi's speech at Waves Summit, and he said, "I think he articulated on all the stuff that the young generation wants, the older generation wants. And, I think it's very helpful, and we're all very proud of this initiative."

Akshay Kumar called Malayalam cinema the 'intellectual soul' of Indian cinema and asked Mohanlal, "Why can't intellectual cinema and mass cinema go together?" In reply the actor shared, "There's a thin line between art-house and commercial success, but it's closely linked. Malayalam industry has always been like this. Even our art films have got entertainment value. Even entertainers have art. I've had the opportunity to work with great directors... New directors are making only art."

Chiranjeevi opened up on his acting ambitions at Waves 2025. In a panel modersated by Akshay Kumar, he revealed, Ï used to entertain friends and family as a child with dance. Slowly my inclination towards acting developed, that's when I went to Chennai, and right from the beginning, so many legends were already there. More than half a dozen superstars were already there. What is that extra that I could contribute? My aim was to hit the bullseye."

He said Mithun inspired him not to use makeup. "In 77 I was a student at the Film Institute, and I saw Mithun da, and the performance he won a National Award for. I took inspiration from him, to not wear makeup and look like average boy. From Sholay, I learned to do all my stunts myself. I took inspiration from the great Amitabh Bachchan. For dancing, I took inspiration from Kamal Haasan, my senior. I moulded myself."

Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Hema Malini were part of the first panel at Waves 2025 that was moderated by Akshay Kumar. The trio spoke about their journeys, inspirations and the Indian entertainment industry.

Film director Atlee shared his views on PM Modi's speech at Waves summit. "It gives us lots of inspiration and it motivates us. WAVES is such a wonderful platform. It is going to create new generation of media students, filmmakers and storytellers and it is going to be outstanding move. PM Modi's speech was so inspiring, and it motivates us, and it really made us today to think something big and achieve it," shared the director.

At Waves 2025, actor Sreeleela said, "I absolutely loved PM Modi’s speech… This summit is absolutely brilliant."

In an inside photo from the Summit, Aamir Khan, S S Rajamouli, Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Akshay Kumar were seen sitting together.

Actor Jackie Shroff reacted on PM Modi's speech at WAVES Summit, and said, "He talked from his heart... 'ek number'. The WAVES Summit was great... we will now go across the globe."

WAVES Summit 2025 saw the launch of a song by the Meet brothers. "Nayi Wave hai, Naya hai Hindustan! Immerse yourself in the sound of modern India @meetbros and their uplifting song ‘High in the Sky’, featured in the captivating #WavesOfIndia album," read a post caption.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan shared at the Waves Summit 2025 event, "The global audio, visual and entertainment economy views our stories not just as art, but as assets of global and national value, an idea inspired by the grand vision of PM Narendra Modi." He added, "WAVES is more than a summit; it’s a global platform and a catalyst for creators, innovators, disruptors, and dreamers."

Speaking at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, Miss World and actor Manushi Chhillar said, "It’s remarkable how the global entertainment and audio-visual industry came together to create this platform. It’s wonderful that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi was here to inaugurate this event."

Talking at the Waves Summit 2025, veteran star Rajinikanth termed the Pahalgam terror attack “barbaric and merciless” and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a fighter who would bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir. He said many people had told him the government might postpone the four-day event because of “unnecessary criticism” as it focused on entertainment. "But I was confident that this event will definitely happen because of my confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modiji. PM Modi is a fighter. He will meet any challenge. He has proven it and we have been seeing it in the last one decade,” said Rajinikanth. The 74-year-old actor is sure that the Prime Minister will handle the Kashmir situation “bravely and gracefully”.'

Ace director SS Rajamouli shared at Waves Summit 2025, "We have so many languages in our country—each language has a history of hundreds of years. We have millions of stories from our histories, and we have countless art forms—hundreds of them. So, hundreds into billions—our stories are infinite." He added, "No country in the world comes even close to India in terms of having this rich, vibrant culture of storytelling. But yet, on the international stage, we are not on par with the USA, South Korea, China, and other countries. I have no doubt in the power we possess—we just need a launchpad. I hope WAVES eases that launchpad."

Aliaa Bhatt shared her look for Waves Summit 2025 and captioned it, "WAVE-ing at you! ?? From cinema to gaming, from craft to tech… our stories, our talent, our vision, ready to lead. #WAVESummit @mib_india @wavesummitindia P.S. tell me how you like my #MaharashtraDay special look ?."

PM Narendra Modi urged the young creators not to be bound by geographical limitations. He says they have the power to bring a new wave to India's economy. This new wave of creativity is being brought by their labour and passion, which is being supported by the Indian government through initiatives like MSDE Skill India Mission, Start Up India and now the WAVES platform.

PM Modi said at WAVES 2025, "We are witnessing the growth era of the Orange economy. The three pillars of the Orange economy are content, creativity and culture. India is becoming the global hub of music, film and gaming. With the orange economy booming, India's graphic and animation industry will face tremendous growth and bring economic prosperity for the nation."

Industrialist Mukesh Ambani shared that India's entertainment and cultural industries are not just soft power; they are real power. At the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit, Waves 2025 which is taking place at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Mukesh Ambani said the media and entertainment industry is today valued at 28 billion dollars and it can grow to over 100 billion dollars in the next decade.

PM Modi's message to the creators is to 'dream big and tell your story'. He told investors at Waves 2025, "Invest not just in platforms, but in people". To Indian youth, he said, "Tell your one billion untold stories to the world."

PM Narendra Modi shared at WAVES 2025, "WAVES awards will be launched in the future. The awards will be the most revered and acclaimed awards in the field of art and creativity." He added, "WAVE Summit highlights India's creative strengths on a global platform. India is a country of billions of Stories. India has a strong treasure of stories from thousands of years."

At WAVES 2025, PM Modi shared, "The platform is for every artist and creator. I am extending greetings for this historic gathering for this revolution like WAVES".

Addressing the guests at WAVES Summit 2025, PM Modi shared about the global reach of Indian cinema. He said, "In the last century, Indian cinema has been successful in making India popular in every part of the world. This is evident from Raj Kapoor's popularity in Russia, Satyajit Ray's popularity at Cannes, and RRR's success at the Oscars."

Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Hema Malini and Anupam Kher can be seen sitting together at the event as PM Modi kicked off Waves 2025.

"Global talent has gathered at Waves 2025. This platform will be the foundation for the global ecosystem for Global talent and Global creativity," shared PM Modi at Waves Summit 2025.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the stage to address at the first World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit, #WAVES2025 in Mumbai. He is sharing how India's story touches every heart worldwide.