A.R. Rahman, Alan Walker, Shreya Ghoshal To Dazzle at WAVES Summit 2025

April 26, 2025: The countdown has begun for the first-ever WAVES (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) 2025, an ambitious, four-day celebration of India’s creative economy, set to take place from May 1 to May 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) in Mumbai. The event promises a dazzling confluence of music, cinema, culture, and innovation—bringing together icons, emerging voices, and global stakeholders to shape the future of India’s cultural landscape.

In a spectacular highlight for music lovers, A.R. Rahman, Alan Walker, rapper King, and Shreya Ghoshal are among the headline performers set to light up the summit with their artistry. The grand opening ceremony at NMACC’s Grand Theatre will feature a powerful 50-piece orchestra led by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani, promising an immersive and emotive beginning to the landmark event.

The summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscoring its national significance. UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is also scheduled to deliver a keynote titled “Creative Bridges: Unlocking Power of Cultural and Digital Partnerships Between UK and India.”

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan will join an impressive roster of Indian and international stars. A special panel titled “Legends & Legacies: The Stories That Shaped India’s Soul” will bring together cinematic icons Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Hema Malini, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, and Mithun Chakraborty, moderated by Akshay Kumar—a true celebration of Indian cinema’s rich legacy.

Composer Shantanu Moitra will lead a vibrant tribute to Indian folk traditions with performances by Shaan, Papon, and others, while Shankar Mahadevan curates a multilingual musical journey featuring Ajay-Atul, Shivam Mahadevan, A.R. Rahman, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

Actor Aamir Khan will feature across multiple thought-leadership panels and sessions, including a solo masterclass, a discussion on India’s role in global cinema, and a panel on “Studios of the Future” alongside Ritesh Sidhwani, Dinesh Vijan, and Namit Malhotra.

Beyond entertainment, WAVES will spotlight India’s cultural heritage through dynamic showcases of folk dances, martial arts, traditional drumming, and masked performances, regionally categorized to celebrate the country’s diversity. International cultural segments curated by global embassies will further enrich the program.

With performances, panels, masterclasses, and immersive cultural experiences, WAVES Summit 2025 is poised to become a defining platform for storytelling, creativity, and global collaboration in the audio-visual and entertainment space.