The mood was festive and atmosphere electric at Whistling Woods International today. At Celebrate Cinema, a two-day extravaganza was grander than its last two seasons. The festival was inaugurated by the evergreen Rekha and showman Subhash Ghai. Followed by the inauguration was the panel discussion on ‘New Voice in Indian Cinema’ with legendary artists like Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Subhash Ghai, Mohit Chauhan, Toshi & Sharab, Shweta & Shraddha Pandit, Shalmali Kholgade, Shruti Pathak, Tulsi Kumar, Shibani Kashyap, Mohd Imran, and Hemant Mishra. Right after, a bunch of 3000+ students were seen attending a panel discussion on ‘Socially Responsible Filmmaking’ with panelists Govind Nihalani, Hansal Mehta, Umesh Kulkarni, Batul Mukhtiar, Ravi Gupta.
On the occasion of Celebrate Cinema, the Evergreen actress Rekha said, “I have never asked anyone for an assignment; never asked a producer or a director for a role. But today I would like to ask you Subhash ji to give me some responsibility to contribute towards Whistling Woods International. I will be privileged to be here to learn more.”
Vidya Balan graced day-I with her presence and had an one-on-one interaction, sharing her insights with the students on filmmaking. Followed by MTV campus Diaries Film screening + Q&A, the day marked a special tribute to Balu Mahindra followed by screening of ‘Sadma’. Amongst others were workshops on Screenwriting, Dance, Stop motion filmmaking, VFX, Advertising, Acting for Screen, 3D Stereoscopic filmmaking, Song Picturisation, digital surround film mix, film editing, mobile filmmaking, still photography and Fashion. Hightlights of the day included a special screening of documentary made on 100 years of Indian cinema by Trisha Screwvala from Disney – UTV and a Master Class with Amole Gupte & Hawa Hawaii team. A special treat for cinema enthusiasts, Celebrate Cinema also screened films such as Garam Hawa, Chungking Express, Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi, All that Jazz, Aparajito, Knife in the Water, West Side Story, Jane Bhi Do Yaaron, Ankur.
Meghna Ghai-Puri, President – Whistling Woods International, said “Whistling Woods International is one of the first institutions to commence the centenary celebrations of Indian Cinema. This Festival is completely organized by our Students & Faculty and they are enthusiastic about sharing the opportunities they have with others through ‘Celebrate Cinema’. It is an amazing opportunity for students, film enthusiasts and children to interact with renowned names from the film and entertainment industry through panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, movie screenings and participate in iconic performances.”
Day II started with the showcase of a documentary on Cinema 100 by Disney UTV followed by a detailed panel discussion on ‘Cinema-2020’ with Nikhil Adwani, Anand Gandhi, Nitin Kokkad, Aseem Arora, Shashank Chaitan, Samar Khan. Post that was another milestone discussion on ‘Women in Cinema’ with esteemed panelist – Diviya Dutta, Neeta Lulla, Jyoti Kapoor Das, Deepa Bhatia amongst others. Highlight of the day was makeup demo and workshop by the leading name in beauty-Bharat &Doris, workshop of body movement by Terrence Lewis. Other sessions that deeply captured students interest were on song picturisation, digital surround film mix, editing, VFX, stop motion film making, still photography amongst others.
“We, at Whistling Woods International have always wanted to create an avenue whereby we are able to provide access to the realities of the filmmaking process to the common film lover and enthusiast. Further, we have always wanted that the vast campus & high-tech infrastructure we have built, the uniquely hands-on curriculum and the laudable faculty, guest & visiting faculty body that we have put together is accessible to film lovers & enthusiasts.” – Subhash Ghai, Filmmaker and Educationist
