The Kapil Sharma Show fame expresses disappointment with WAVES Summit for ignoring TV fraternity, check details

In a surprising turn at the high-profile WAVES Summit 2025, television actress Sumona Chakravarti, widely recognised for her role in The Kapil Sharma Show, voiced strong disappointment over the absence of television representation at the event. Taking to social media platform X, Sumona sparked a vital debate about inclusivity within India’s entertainment ecosystem.

WAVES Summit: A Star-Studded Affair Minus Television

WAVES 2025, themed “Connecting Creators, Connecting Countries,” is India’s first international media summit of this scale. Drawing participation from over 90 countries, 10,000 delegates, and high-profile celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Allu Arjun, and Rajinikanth, the event celebrates cinema, OTT, gaming, and digital content. Yet, glaringly absent was any mention or presence of Indian television artists.

Sumona called out the oversight, writing, “Was Indian television (Producers/Directors/Actors/etc) left out for a reason? Are we not a part of media & entertainment?” Her remarks gained traction instantly, with fans and fellow creators questioning the deliberate exclusion of a medium that reaches millions daily.

Public Reaction and Debate

Reactions ranged from supportive to sarcastic. One user wrote, “But why would they do that?” while another quipped, “Mohtarma Yeh to masterstroke hai… Thoko.” The omission seemed even more baffling given the scale of television’s influence in Indian households and the rise of TV personalities with massive followings.

Future of WAVES and the Call for Inclusion

Despite the criticism, WAVES 2025 has been a landmark event, hosting over 42 plenary sessions, 32 masterclasses, and involvement from 300+ companies and 350 startups. The summit has already begun shaping policy and creator engagement strategies for the future of infotainment, broadcasting, AVGC-XR, and digital media.

However, this incident serves as a wake-up call. As India looks to position itself as a global media hub, inclusivity across all entertainment formats, especially television must be ensured. Whether WAVES will address this oversight in its final day or in future editions remains to be seen. But Sumona’s message has certainly lit the spark for necessary change.