Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Thursday (1 May) said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the WAVES Summit sends a powerful message of national unity following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
WAVES is being held at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai from 1 to 4 May. The summit features a wide range of speakers from the entertainment industry and aims to strengthen the media and entertainment sector, which recorded revenues of ₹2.5 lakh crore in 2024.
Addressing the summit, Ambani said, “No nation can match India’s storytelling power. So let’s take our stories to the global stage. India has emerged as a global leader in digital technology. Tools like AI can make our stories more captivating and help them reach a global audience. By mastering these tools, we will lead the global industry with blockbusters.”
Ambani added that WAVES would serve as a platform with an Indian soul and a global voice.
“PM Modi gave the green signal for this summit a few months ago, and it was his vision to amplify India’s voice on the global stage. We have representatives from 90 countries. This is the ‘Josh’ of ‘Naya Bharat’ – bold in its dreams and swift in its execution,” he said.
Ambani had earlier strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling terrorism “an enemy of humanity” that must never be supported. He stated, “We fully stand with our Honourable Prime Minister, the Government of India and the entire nation in this decisive fight against terrorism.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAt WAVES 2025, actor Rajinikanth said many people expected the event to be postponed after the attack, but he had confidence in Prime Minister Modi’s ability to face any challenge.
Singer Shaan also expressed his sorrow, saying, “Of course, there is grief in our hearts, but as Raj Kapoor once said — ‘The show must go on.’”
Actor Jackie Shroff paid tribute to the victims’ families and said, “Everyone is deeply pained by this tragedy.” When asked about the ban on Pakistani actors’ Instagram handles in India, he responded, “We don’t want to interfere in government policy or create controversy.”