MPA Report at WAVES 2025 Highlights $60 Billion Impact of India’s Entertainment Industry

Mumbai: The third day of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 in Mumbai witnessed a landmark moment as the Motion Picture Association (MPA) unveiled a comprehensive report detailing the economic impact of India’s film, television, and streaming sectors, estimating their annual contribution at over $60 billion and support for 2.6 million jobs.

The report was launched in the presence of Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the MPA. The event underscored India’s growing stature in the global creative economy and reaffirmed the mutual commitment of Indian policymakers and global media stakeholders to fostering innovation, intellectual property rights, and cultural diplomacy.

Dr. Murugan hailed the report as a timely acknowledgment of India’s cinematic influence. “Films like RRR and Baahubali have shown that Indian stories have universal appeal,” he said. He reiterated the government’s focus on building a creator-first ecosystem supported by production incentives, policy reforms, and robust IP protections, including recent anti-piracy measures.

“Cinema is not just an economic engine. It is a vital diplomatic and cultural bridge,” he added. “India looks forward to deeper collaboration with the MPA to co-create a globally respected and secure creative industry.”

Charles Rivkin, calling this a “pivotal moment” for India’s entertainment industry, expressed MPA’s enthusiasm to be part of India’s growth story. “India’s creative economy is poised for extraordinary growth, and the MPA is proud to support this journey,” he said.

Rivkin shared the key findings of the report, emphasizing the strength of India’s storytelling, visual effects talent, and rising global content exports. He pointed to the alignment between MPA’s goals and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a robust creative economy, stating, “Our member studios are deeply committed to investing in India and advocating for forward-looking policies that empower creators.”