A New Chapter for Maharashtra Through the WAVES Summit: State Government Engages with Global Media Giants

CM Fadnavis Discusses Media and Entertainment Partnerships with Leaders from Netflix, Motion Picture Association, and Universal Music Group

Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held key discussions today with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Universal Music Group’s Chairman and CEO for India and South Asia Devraj Sanyal, and Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association Charles Rivkin. The discussions centered around skill development in the media and entertainment sector and potential collaborations.

These high-level meetings mark a significant step toward opening new avenues for promoting Maharashtra’s cultural heritage on a global scale and enhancing skill development through partnerships between the state government and major international media and entertainment institutions.

“India Has Huge Opportunities in the Entertainment Sector in the Next Five Years” – Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix
During the meeting, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos highlighted India’s potential to become a key entertainment market over the next five years. He also explored the possibility of collaboration between Netflix and the Maharashtra government to develop skills in the state’s media and entertainment sectors. Both Sarandos and CM Fadnavis discussed opportunities to bring the rich storytelling traditions of rural Maharashtra to global audiences. Sarandos praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and congratulated both the central and Maharashtra governments for organizing the WAVES Summit.

“WAVES Summit is a Milestone for the Entertainment Industry” – Devraj Sanyal
Devraj Sanyal, along with actor-director and Excel Entertainment founder Farhan Akhtar, and co-founder-producer Ritesh Sidhwani, also called on CM Fadnavis at his residence. They congratulated the Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Maharashtra government for successfully organizing the WAVES Summit and acknowledged its importance for the entertainment industry.

Discussions with Motion Picture Association on Building a World-Class Studio in Maharashtra
Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association—a global leader in film, television, and streaming—met with CM Fadnavis to discuss future collaborations. Recalling India’s first full-length film Raja Harishchandra (1913), Rivkin praised the country’s rich cinematic heritage.

The two leaders discussed the potential for establishing a world-class film studio in Maharashtra. They also focused on incentive schemes for producers and the need to protect intellectual property rights.

Through these strategic meetings during the WAVES Summit, Chief Minister Fadnavis has taken a significant step toward placing Maharashtra prominently on the global media map.