Creativity Finds Its Stage at WAVES 2025

By Pickle April 30, 2025

Create in India Challenge draws 1 lakh registrations from 60+ countries, spotlighting India’s rise as a global creative powerhouse.

When the Create in India Challenge (CIC) was launched under the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES), few could have predicted the sheer magnitude of response it would evoke. As the final countdown begins for the grand showcase at Jio World Centre, Mumbai (May 1–4, 2025), CIC has transformed into a global creative movement. Nearly 1 lakh creators—ranging from teenage innovators to seasoned artists—registered for the 32 unique challenges that blended technology, storytelling, and tradition.

Participants from over 60 countries, including Argentina, Germany, Egypt, Japan, and Sri Lanka, have infused the competition with a truly international spirit. With 750 finalists—43 of them international—preparing to display their talent at Creatosphere, the innovation platform at WAVES, the event promises to be a creative melting pot like no other.

From aerial drone storytelling in “India: A Bird’s Eye View” to wearable heritage in “Make the World Wear Khadi,” the CIC categories span futuristic tech and cultural revival. The initiative’s inclusivity also shines through—finalists range from 12 to 66 years old, with entries pouring in from all 28 states and 8 UTs.

As the glittering WAVES Creator Awards approach, India is set to tell the world: creativity has no borders, and its heartbeat is here.