Siddharth Roy Kapur at WAVES 2025: “Entertainment can contribute far more to India’s GDP than it already has”

Ace producer Siddharth Roy Kapur recently participated in the WAVES Summit 2025, a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that brought together key voices from across the Indian and global entertainment landscape.

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At the summit, an impactful panel discussion unfolded around the theme of storytelling in a digital-first world. The panel featured some of the industry’s most influential names, including Tanya Bami (Series Head, Netflix India), Guneet Monga Kapoor (Producer, Sikhya Entertainment), Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh (Director, Original Films, Netflix India), Michael Lehmann (international film and TV director, screenwriter, and producer), Siddharth Roy Kapur (Founder, Roy Kapur Films), and Supriya Yarlagadda (CEO & Executive Director, Annapurna Studios).

The conversation explored how streaming platforms have disrupted traditional storytelling, allowing creators to break free from long-held conventions. From experimenting with new genres to telling hyper-local stories with global resonance, the panelists emphasized how today’s content is increasingly being shaped by bold, distinct voices.

Speaking about the significance of the WAVES initiative, Siddharth Roy Kapur shared,
“I think it’s really wonderful that the government has thought of doing this because it’s so important for the entertainment industry to have a platform like this—to showcase what we’re capable of. Like the Prime Minister said yesterday, the idea is for entertainment to contribute much more than we already have to the GDP of our country, and we’re hoping that WAVES gives us that platform. I think it’s a wonderful initiative, and I’m hoping that from this year onward, we build on it year after year.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur’s words struck a chord with many in the room, reinforcing the vital role entertainment can play not just culturally, but also economically. With forums like WAVES, the industry seems poised to step into its next era of global influence and innovation