MUMBAI: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has called on India to actively reclaim and define its global image through the power of storytelling, cinema, and emerging technologies, stressing that the nation’s identity must not be shaped by foreign perspectives.

Addressing students at Whistling Woods International, Adani said he never imagined an infrastructure entrepreneur like himself would be speaking to some of India’s most creative minds. He noted that the year marks the centenary of cinematic legends Guru Dutt and Raj Kapoor, whose work proved that cinema is more than entertainment — “it is poetry in motion, philosophy in colour, and the heartbeat of a nation finding its voice.”

Adani underscored the importance of owning India’s story in a world where narratives drive perceptions. “If we do not narrate who we are, others will rewrite who we were,” he said, warning that India’s reluctance to assert its own voice has allowed distorted portrayals — often through Western films — to dominate global understanding of the country.

“Silence is not humility; it is surrender,” Adani cautioned, citing Gandhi and Slumdog Millionaire as examples of Indian stories told through external lenses. He argued that India’s challenge has never been imagination but hesitation, urging creators to take charge of the country’s image.

Highlighting the transformative power of storytelling, Adani said, “In the right hands, it shapes nations. In the wrong hands, it manipulates minds.” He emphasized that the responsibility of defining India’s identity must lie with those who understand its complexities and spirit.

Reflecting on recent events, Adani referred to the 2023 Hindenburg report — which temporarily wiped out over USD 100 billion from the Adani Group’s market value — as “a totally false story weaponised into a calculated attack.” He said the episode reinforced a vital lesson: “In today’s world, truth must also be loudly told, for silence leaves space for others to script your destiny.”