The Wave of storytelling: A Global Conversation with India
In a bustling city on May 3, 2025, at Jio World Centre in Mumbai, the world of film-making was in motion. The co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos, delivered a thought-provoking speech during the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES). His message centered around how streaming platforms are redefining storytelling, amplifying creativity across borders.
The Opening: A Call to Action
Ted Sarandos began his speech with a call to action. “The waves of storytelling—where global voices meet Indian whispers—are here,” he said. “We’re not just moving into the future; we’re making history together.” This opening highlighted the growing significance of international storytelling, emphasizing that cultural exchange is not merely about cultural dissimilation but about coexistence and mutual learning.
The Platform: Where Creativity Shines
Sarandos continued his speech with a vision of the WAVES summit. “Imagine a world where stories from every corner meet,” he said. “That’s the future we’re shaping together.” The summit, held in Mumbai, brought together filmmakers from around the globe to discuss innovative storytelling methods.
Saif Ali Khan, a star in the Sacred Games series, reflected on his collaboration with Netflix. “We’ve seen films in cinema that were beyond imagination,” he said. “Streaming has made it possible for us to watch stories we might have missed.” This reflects Sarandos’s earlier statement about streaming democratizing film-making.
Collaborations and Creativity
Sarandos highlighted the importance of collaboration between filmmakers from India and around the world. The convergence of cultures, languages, and perspectives created new opportunities for storytelling. For example, his Indian films like Omkaara and Parineeta resonated worldwide, capturing the essence of their cultural roots.
The Impact of Streaming
Sarandos noted that streaming platforms have significantly impacted storytelling. “Cinemas are not outdated,” he said. “Streaming is evolving them into new forms.” This aligns with the economic impact of Netflix, which has created jobs and supported infrastructure across India’s 23 states.
Saif echoed Sarandos’s view: “If the ideas here work, they’ll succeed beyond imagination.” The WAVES summit serves as a platform for such creativity to thrive, offering a space for global filmmakers to engage with their Indian counterparts.
Conclusion
Ted Sarandos and Saif Ali Khan shared insights that highlighted the transformative power of streaming platforms in reshaping storytelling. Together, they emphasized that creative synergy is not limited to one culture but extends across the globe. The WAVES summit serves as a beacon for innovation, offering a cultural exchange space where stories can merge and evolve.
In an era where global filmmakers seek meaningful projects rooted in their cultural roots, Sarandos’s vision underscores the potential for global storytelling to thrive. As he said, the future lies in the coexistence of cultures—both in the same wave yet different. This sentiment resonates with the world of streaming platforms, inviting all creative souls to join the conversation.