Mumbai: Bollywood icon Aamir Khan on Friday urged Indian filmmakers and producers to build robust international distribution channels to elevate Indian cinema to global prominence. Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Studios of the Future: Putting India on World Studio Map” during Day 2 of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 at Jio World Centre, Mumbai, Khan emphasized that Indian studios must adopt a global-first mindset from the outset of filmmaking.
The discussion, moderated by film critic Mayank Shekhar, featured a distinguished panel of industry leaders including Ritesh Sidhwani (Producer), Namit Malhotra (Prime Focus Ltd.), Dinesh Vijan (Film Producer), Ajay Bijli (PVR Cinemas), and Charles Roven, the acclaimed American producer of Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight trilogy.
“Indian filmmakers must focus not only on storytelling but also on creating international distribution pipelines. We have stories with global appeal, but they need to be accessible,” said Aamir Khan, stressing the importance of taking Indian content beyond national boundaries.
Addressing the theatrical vs. OTT debate, Khan also highlighted the shrinking window between theatrical and streaming releases as a factor discouraging audiences from visiting cinemas. “We must find the right balance that sustains the theatrical experience while embracing digital platforms,” he noted.
Hollywood veteran Charles Roven echoed Khan’s views, stating, “Despite the proliferation of OTT platforms, the theatrical experience remains irreplaceable. It’s where cinema breathes.” He encouraged Indian studios to move beyond a domestic market mindset and produce films with international resonance from the ground up.
Producer Dinesh Vijan underlined the importance of authentic storytelling and strategic partnerships with international studios. “Going global isn’t just about bigger budgets. It’s about content, quality, and collaboration,” he said. He also pointed out that emerging markets in smaller Indian cities are becoming increasingly cinema-friendly.
Namit Malhotra, whose company has worked on major international projects, emphasized the transformative power of AI and cutting-edge technology in storytelling. “With the right tools, we can elevate Indian narratives and bridge the gap to global audiences,” he stated.
Ritesh Sidhwani pointed to OTT platforms as a catalyst for Indian content to gain unprecedented global reach. “Streaming has allowed us to experiment and tell diverse stories that resonate across cultures,” he said.
Ajay Bijli, head of PVR Cinemas, acknowledged the challenges faced by the exhibition sector post-COVID. He called for a strategic approach to release windows that maximizes both theatrical and digital revenues.
Vijan added that technology can dissolve language barriers, enabling culturally rooted stories to be universally understood through innovations like lip-sync translation.
Reflecting on the broader vision of the WAVES summit, Aamir Khan said, “This is the first time I’ve seen a government so engaged with the media and entertainment industry. WAVES is not just a dialogue—it’s a bridge to policy. I’m hopeful that our conversations here will lead to meaningful action.”
The panel concluded with a resounding agreement on one central idea: India has the stories and talent to become a global cinematic powerhouse—what’s needed now is infrastructure, collaboration, and vision to take Indian content across borders.
