Mumbai, May 1 — Renowned actor Rajinikanth on Thursday strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, calling it "barbaric and ruthless," and expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ability to restore peace in the region.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, Rajinikanth addressed concerns from some quarters that the four-day entertainment-centric event might be postponed due to ongoing criticism following the tragic incident. However, he said he never doubted its continuation, expressing unwavering trust in the Prime Minister.
The WAVES summit, which brings together key figures from Bollywood, South Indian cinema, industry leaders, and policymakers, aims to position India as a global leader in the media and entertainment sector.
Rajinikanth praised Modi as a "warrior" who has consistently tackled every challenge with determination. He said the Prime Minister has already proven his mettle over the past decade and will handle the Kashmir situation with both courage and grace. He expressed optimism that peace would soon return to the valley and that the nation’s dignity would be upheld.
The actor said he was honored to be a part of the WAVES initiative and extended his congratulations to the central government for organizing the summit.
WAVES provides a unified platform for sectors such as film, OTT, gaming, comics, digital media, AI, AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics – Extended Reality), and emerging technologies. The event aims to unlock a USD 50 billion market by 2029 and further India’s role in the global entertainment economy.
The summit is taking place shortly after a deadly terrorist attack in the upper reaches of Pahalgam, where 26 people, most of them tourists, lost their lives.
