The Policy Text discusses an inspiring panel discussion held at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) titled "PanIndian Cinema: Myth or Momentum". This summit, conducted at Mumbai's Jio World Centre, was moderated by Sh. Naman Ramachandran and featured seasoned personalities from India's film industry—Sh. Nagarjuna, Sh. Anupam Kher, Sh. Karthi, and Ms. Khushboo Sundar.
The discourse centered on Indian cinema as both a collective heritage that spans linguistic和地区 diversity and a unifying force capable of transcending regional boundaries. The panel agreed that resonating with the shared cultural, musical, storytelling, and national themes significantly enhances a film's appeal for all Indians.
It was noted by the participants that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed consumption patterns from niche regional content to more general Indian cinema being more favorably accepted across audiences.
This shift in preference was highlighted against the backdrop of honesty in storytelling as essential for captivating audiences, regardless of whether the film is broadcasted through traditional cinematic means or streaming platforms. They advocated that sincerity and emotional connection are crucial elements contributing to a successful film, even when dealing with large-scale spectacles typical of India's heroic epics.
The panelists also deliberated on the enduring desire for grand, larger-than-life experiences in cinema even as audiences gain access to diverse content formats. They underlined the significance of going beyond perceived divisions (such as Bollywood vs regional films) and integrating the spirit of unity deeply rooted within Indian soil into the narrative.
Summing it up, WAVES 2025 participants emphasized that by building on these foundational principles—embracing a panIndian perspective with emotional depth, honesty in storytelling, unity, and respecting the nation's cultural heritage through cinematic art—the future momentum of Indian cinema could be sustained effectively. This approach to filmmaking, blending the essence of diverse regional cultures while highlighting a collective ethos, promises to propel Indian cinema forward.
For official updates at various platforms:
- Twitter: https://x.com/WAVESummitIndia
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: https://x.com/MIBIndia
- Press Information Bureau: https://x.com/PIBIndia
- PIB Mumbai official page: https://x.com/PIBmumbai
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Information Broadcasting: The governmental body overseeing information and broadcasting in the country
PanIndian Cinema: A discussion topic on Indian cinema that transcends regional boundaries
World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES): An event held at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai, discussing various aspects of media and entertainment
Jio World Centre: The venue for the WAVES 2025 summit in Mumbai
Sh. Naman Ramachandran: Moderator at the WAVES session on PanIndian cinema
Sh. Nagarjuna, Sh. Anupam Kher, Sh. Karthi, and Ms. Khushboo Sundar: Four personalities from the Indian film industry who participated in the panel discussion at WAVES 2025
Bollywood: A term often used synonymously with Hindi films or cinema based in Mumbai, particularly associated with popular genres and themes commonly seen in Western media
regional film industry: Film industries outside of Bollywood, contributing to Indian film culture and heritage
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Pan-Indian Cinema is Not a Myth; Film Industry
Veterans Emphasize Unity in Indian Cinema
Anupam Kher Highlights Shifting Cinema
Consumption Trends Post-COVID
When you honour our shared heritage, our songs,
our stories, our soil, your film becomes Indian
cinema: Khushboo Sundar
Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 5:57PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 2 May 2025
The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, WAVES 2025, being held at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai,
hosted an inspiring panel discussion titled “Pan-Indian Cinema: Myth or Momentum.” Moderated by Sh. Naman
Ramachandran, the session brought together four distinguished personalities from the Indian film industry, Sh.
Nagarjuna, Sh. Anupam Kher, Sh. Karthi, and Ms. Khushboo Sundar, for an engaging conversation.
Ms. Khushboo Sundar reminded the audience that cinema’s power lies in its emotional resonance. She
emphasized that there should be no perceived divide between Bollywood and regional film industries, as Indian
films are created with the intent of resonating with all Indians. “When you honour our shared heritage, our songs,
our stories, our soil, your film stops being regional or national, it becomes Indian cinema and that is what makes
everything fall into place,” she observed.Sh. Nagarjuna echoed this sentiment by celebrating the rich cultural tapestry that weaves together India’s
filmmaking traditions. He spoke of the myriad languages, customs and landscapes that inspire storytellers, and he
reminded attendees that pride in one’s roots does not constrain creativity, it liberates it and that is the true
essence of Indian cinema.
Sh. Anupam Kher spoke about how COVID-19 pandemic changed the behavior of cinema consumption. He
recounted how audiences started consuming films from different sources and it is not about cinema from different
regions, but cinema from India alone. He also stressed about one must be true and honest in their craftsmanship,
“Whether you are broadcasting a mythic saga on the big screen or streaming a slice-of-life drama, honesty in
storytelling is your greatest ally. Audiences may crave spectacle, but they will always applaud sincerity and that is
what works in films.”Further adding to this, Sh. Karthi reflected on the enduring appetite for larger-than-life experiences. He expressed
that while audiences today have access to diverse content, they still flock to theatres for the magic of song-and-
dance extravaganzas and heroic epics.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists spoke about the importance of evolving beyond the notion of "regional"
films and embracing the idea of Indian films. They emphasized on the importance of emotions, sincerity and that
Indian cinema’s true strength lies not in divisions, but in unity, rooted in our soil, and it is that momentum that will
carry Indian cinema forward.
For official updates on realtime, please follow us:
On X :
https://x.com/WAVESummitIndia
https://x.com/MIB_India
https://x.com/PIB_India
https://x.com/PIBmumbai
On Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wavesummitindiahttps://www.instagram.com/mib_india
https://www.instagram.com/pibindia
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PIB TEAM WAVES 2025 | Rajith/ LekshmiPriya/ Lumpem/ Darshana | 150
(Release ID: 2126230)