Veteran actor Rajinikanth strongly condemned the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling it “barbaric and merciless” during his address at the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai on Thursday. Speaking at the high-profile gathering, the legendary actor expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, asserting that he would restore peace in the conflict-hit region.
“PM Modi is a fighter. He will meet any challenge. He has proven it and we have been seeing it in the last one decade,” Rajinikanth was quoted as saying by PTI.
Rajinikanth was confident that the summit will not be postponed
The four-day WAVES Summit, which kicked off amid a sombre backdrop following the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 people—most of them tourists—has brought together key figures from India’s entertainment, political, and tech landscapes. Despite concerns that the event might be postponed due to the recent tragedy and public criticism over its timing, Rajinikanth said he was never in doubt.
“But I was confident that this event will definitely happen because of my confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modiji,” he said.
Rajinikanth praises PM Modi
The 74-year-old actor praised the prime minister’s strength and grace in handling difficult situations, especially in regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
“(He will) bring peace in Kashmir and glory to our country. I'm extremely happy to be here and it is my privilege to be a part of WAVES moment. and my heartiest congratulations to central government,” Rajinikanth added.
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About Waves 2025
WAVES 2025 is being positioned as a landmark initiative to promote India as a global leader in the media and entertainment space. The summit aims to bridge the worlds of cinema, OTT platforms, gaming, animation, comics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies under one umbrella. With ambitious targets of unlocking a $50 billion market by 2029, WAVES hopes to significantly elevate India’s presence in the global entertainment economy.
The summit has drawn participation from leading Bollywood and South Indian stars, alongside global tech innovators, startup founders, and policymakers. It's a moment of unity and creativity even as the country mourns the loss of innocent lives in Kashmir.