Special Correspondent | Mumbai
India has the potential to become the next global destination for international film production under the vision of ‘Shoot in India’, said Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan during the opening day of the WAVES 2025 Summit – a premier gathering of global entertainment leaders.
Speaking at the session titled “The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler”, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone joined filmmaker Karan Johar in a candid conversation that spanned their careers, the evolution of Indian cinema, and the future of the global entertainment landscape.
Khan expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conceptualizing and backing the WAVES platform, saying it has the potential to transform India into a global creative powerhouse. “India is more than just a location; it’s a storyteller’s paradise with unmatched diversity — landscapes, languages, traditions, and talent,” said Shah Rukh.
He highlighted that with the right institutional support and international collaborations, India can attract foreign investment in film production, generate employment, and strengthen its position as a global content hub. “WAVES is not just a summit — it’s a cultural movement,” he emphasized.
On the subject of building a sustainable cinema economy, Khan emphasized the need to revive single-screen theatres in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. “The cinema experience should be accessible and affordable across India. These cities hold the key to the next wave of mass audiences,” he said.
Talking about his own journey in the industry, Shah Rukh reflected on labels such as “outsider” and “insider” and urged aspiring artists to focus instead on hard work, consistency, and uniqueness. “Just like in any profession, merit must lead. Don’t let tags define you,” he said.
Deepika Padukone, adding her voice to the discussion, described WAVES as a much-needed convergence of content, creativity, and technology. “Until now, collaboration between various domains like OTT, animation, cinema, and artificial intelligence has been fragmented. WAVES can bring them all together to shape the future of storytelling,” she noted.
She also urged young actors and creators to look beyond social media fame and focus on honing their true talents. “Image-building is temporary. Skills are lasting,” she said.
Karan Johar, closing the session, proudly called India a rising soft power in the global arena. “We have the stories, we have the talent, and now we have a vision. With WAVES, India is ready to take a giant leap in the entertainment world,” he declared.
The WAVES 2025 Summit (World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit) is part of India’s broader push to strengthen its presence in the Orange Economy, a term that denotes economic activities driven by cultural, artistic, and creative expression. The event witnessed participation from global media houses, OTT platforms, tech innovators, and policymakers.
With content becoming the currency of influence, India now stands at the cusp of becoming not just a consumer of global narratives but a creator of stories that travel the world.
