At the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, Aamir Khan highlights the cultural and cinematic bridge between India and China.
In a powerful endorsement of cultural diplomacy, Bollywood icon Aamir Khan has expressed strong support for India-China collaboration in cinema and entertainment, calling it a “win-win” opportunity for both countries. Khan was speaking at the second day of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES 2025) during a panel titled “Indian Cinema, Oriental Look” alongside renowned filmmakers Peter Ho Sun Chan, Stanley Tong, and Prasad Shetty.
The conversation, moderated by NDTV’s Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia, centered around soft power, storytelling, and cross-border cultural resonance. Aamir Khan, whose film Dangal (2016) remains one of the most successful Indian films in China, shared personal insights from his multiple visits to the country.
“The Emotions Were Universal”
Reflecting on the reception of his films in China, Khan said:
“The audiences in China – their cultural sensibilities and emotional responses – are remarkably similar to those in India. From my experience, the way Chinese audiences reacted to Dangal was almost identical to how Indian audiences responded. The emotions were universal.”
He emphasized that this emotional connection provides a strong foundation for creative and commercial collaboration between the two nations.
Shared Strengths, Shared Stories
Aamir went on to elaborate on the untapped potential of Indo-Chinese partnerships:
“India has a vibrant and dynamic creative community – and so does China. I’ve witnessed their films and festivals. The quality of their work is world-class. From a creative, emotional, and business perspective, collaboration between our industries would be beneficial on all fronts.”
He revealed that he has had ongoing discussions with Chinese counterparts over the years and believes that global events like WAVES could accelerate such partnerships.
“India and China are both ancient civilizations with rich histories and cultures. There’s so much we can offer each other. I genuinely look forward to collaborating with creative talent from China.”
India’s Soft Power Push on the Global Stage
Aamir Khan’s remarks align with India’s broader goal of becoming a global content hub, a vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who advocates leveraging cultural exports and creative industries to boost India’s soft power.
According to the PMO, WAVES 2025 is hosting:
- Delegates from over 90 countries
- 10,000+ attendees, including creators, startups, and corporations
- 42 plenary sessions, 39 breakout sessions, and 32 masterclasses
- Focus areas include films, AVGC-XR, infotainment, broadcasting, and digital media
One of the major highlights is the Global Media Dialogue, which includes ministerial participation from 25 countries, and the WAVES Bazaar, a global digital marketplace connecting 6,100 buyers with 5,200 sellers across 2,100 creative projects.
Conclusion
Aamir Khan’s advocacy for cross-border collaboration comes at a pivotal time for India’s entertainment industry. As WAVES 2025 amplifies India’s creative voice on the global stage, partnerships with key markets like China could pave the way for co-productions, cultural exchange, and a more integrated entertainment ecosystem in Asia.
