At the WAVES2025 Summit, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conceptualizing the landmark event, calling it a transformative step for India's entertainment industry. Representing the film fraternity, Khan acknowledged the summit as a much-needed platform that could bridge the gap between the government and the creative sector, fostering synergy and long-term support.
Khan spoke with conviction about India’s untapped potential as a global film-shooting destination. “Shoot in India” could become the next big movement, he said, encouraging international filmmakers to consider India’s diverse landscapes, skilled workforce, and cultural richness. He emphasized that strategic agreements with global film bodies would go a long way in strengthening India's cinematic infrastructure and cross-border collaboration.
The actor also turned his attention to the domestic front, highlighting the need to make Indian cinema more accessible to audiences in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. He advocated for revitalizing the single-screen cinema culture to expand the reach of mainstream films beyond metro audiences. His vision reflects a desire to democratize cinematic experiences across the country.
Khan ended on an inspiring note during his session, titled The Journey: From Outsider to Ruler, reflecting on his own rise in the industry. Addressing the next generation, he dismissed the "insider-outsider" binary, urging young aspirants to view cinema as any other profession—one that rewards passion, perseverance, and talent over privilege. “Image comes later, skill comes first,” he said, encouraging newcomers to focus on honing their craft in the age of social media optics.