WAVES 2025: “Pan-Indian Cinema is a Movement, Not a Myth,” Say Film Icons at Powerful Panel

Mumbai: A powerful message of unity through storytelling emerged from the panel discussion “Pan-Indian Cinema: Myth or Momentum” at the ongoing World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025), held at the Jio World Centre, Mumbai. The session featured prominent voices from Indian cinema—Nagarjuna, Anupam Kher, Karthi, and Khushboo Sundar—and was moderated by veteran film journalist Naman Ramachandran.

Actress and producer Khushboo Sundar set the tone by emphasizing the emotional power of Indian storytelling. “There should be no divide between Bollywood and regional cinema,” she stated. “When you honour our shared heritage, our songs, our stories, our soil—your film stops being regional or national; it becomes Indian cinema.” She urged the industry to celebrate diversity while embracing unity, reminding audiences that emotional resonance transcends language barriers.

Veteran actor Nagarjuna reflected on the rich cultural fabric of Indian cinema, calling it a mosaic of languages, customs, and landscapes that inspire filmmakers. “Pride in your roots doesn’t constrain creativity—it liberates it,” he asserted. He described the growing acceptance and appreciation for stories across linguistic boundaries as a sign of Indian cinema’s true evolution.

Renowned actor Anupam Kher shared his insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic transformed content consumption, bringing films from every corner of India to audiences’ fingertips. “It is no longer about cinema from different regions—it is about cinema from India,” he said. Kher stressed the importance of honesty in storytelling, saying, “Audiences may crave spectacle, but they always applaud sincerity. That’s what endures in cinema.”

Actor Karthi highlighted the audience’s continuing love for cinematic grandeur, even in a digital-first age. “People may have access to diverse content at home, but they still flock to theatres for heroic epics and song-and-dance spectacles,” he noted. Karthi described this enduring appeal as part of India’s unique cinematic DNA.

Throughout the session, the panelists passionately advocated for a pan-Indian approach to filmmaking, where stories connect not through geography but through emotion and craft. The panel collectively asserted that Indian cinema’s greatest strength lies in its unity, and that its future lies in transcending artificial labels of language or region.

As WAVES 2025 continues to bring together thought leaders from across the global media and entertainment industry, this session stood out as a heartfelt tribute to India’s cinematic soul—diverse in its voice, yet united in its vision.