Mumbai, June 1, 2012: Cinema100, an exclusive three day film festival
celebrating 100 glorious years of Indian cinema saw a grand opening at
the Whistling Woods International campus today. Legendary musician and
Oscar winner, A. R. Rahman was specially invited to inaugurate
Cinema100, in the heart of Film City.
The inaugural ceremony started with renowned cinema stalwarts Gulzar,
Saroj Khan, Sukhwinder Singh and A. R Rahman being invited on stage by
the Founder and Chairman of Whistling Woods International, Subhash
Ghai. Together, they lit the lamp to formally open the three-day grand
festival. The group also unveiled a life sized statue of Shree
Dadasaheb Phalke which will now be kept for display in the college
premises. This was followed by a short film which gave a glimpse of
the various phases of cinema, right from the era of black and white
films to the present day animated and pictorial films.
While speaking at the inauguration, A. R Rahman said, “I am so
thrilled to be here. Whistling Woods International has been an
inspiration to me. I am looking forward to see your exhibition on 100
years of cinema. I can see a glorious future for the students of
filmmaking and I wish them all the very best.”
Subhash Ghai, Founder Chairman, Whistling Woods International was all
smiles as he commented, “Whistling Woods has always promoted quality
film education and we have been thought leaders in providing the
latest knowledge and best infrastructure to our students. Cinema 100
is our tribute to the fascinating 100 year journey of Indian Cinema.
We are very happy to have in our midst industry stalwarts and legends
who are whole-heartedly willing to share their knowledge and
experiences to make this event successful. I am especially proud of
the students of the school who are my support and inspiration. Their
hard work in putting together this event is truly commendable.”
Sukhwinder Singh dazzled the crowd with Sufi songs from the 1950’s
onwards. Bollywood’s favourite choreographer Saroj Khan threw some
light on some of India’s top 12 choreographers in the past 100 years
and Gulzar addressed a packed session in the auditorium on his poetic
journey in Indian Cinema.
In the festival mood, Gulzar saab said, “Cinema is lucky that after
these 100 years it has an institute like Whistling Woods International
and it has students like this, who respond to cinema and who know its
language. If anything happens to this institute, I will be the saddest
man . Bachchon ne bohot khoobsurat kaam kiya hai. Yeh muhavren zubaan
ke gayab hote ja rahe hain. In muhavron ko sambhalna humari zimmedari
hai.” On being asked by an audience member on the art of translating
poetry into song, he said “yeh toh trade secret pooch rahe ho aap.”
The festival showcased great amount of reverence to Indian Cinema of
old through special screenings of Raja Harishchandra &
Harishchandrachi Factory, which is based on the life of Shri Dada
Saheb Phalke, who introduced motion pictures for the first time in
India.
Highlights of DAY 1:
- Some of the oldest cameras, film posters of the bygone era and
costumes from landmark films were on display in a one of a kind
exhibit tracing the 100 year journey of Indian cinema
-Mumbai-based film-circle activist Subhash Chedda showcased
collection of over 4,00,000 posters.
-GEM dresswalla contributed some of the most popular film costumes of
the century to lend an added charm to the spectacle.
- Renowned artiste Nandita Choudhri shared her installations on Indian films.
- The original poster bought at an auction by ad filmmakers Arti and
Kailash Surendranath were on display.
-Special screening of the first ever Hindi film ‘Raja Harishchandra’
followed by a Marathi film ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’, which is based
on the life of Shri Dada Saheb Phalke, who introduced motion pictures
for the first time in India.
-Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra interacted closely with students
and had a great time going thru old exhibits.
“Whistling Woods is among the top ten film making institutes in the
world, over the last years the school has encouraged and shaped some
of the best talent in the industry. Cinema100 is our tribute to the
Industry at large, the event will not only showcase rare films but
also will be a tool to educate the youth about the rich heritage in
Cinema and its future. I am extremely happy with the kind of response
we have got on the first day and I look forward to the thrilling
weekend too” added Meghna Ghai Puri, President of Whistling Woods
International.
Arjun Kapoor said, “Film Education is essential and the institute has
the infrastructure to provide it all. I never had the opportunity to
go to a film institute.” Speaking on the Cinema100 initiative taken by
the students he further adds, “I think it is fantastic”. Parineeti
Chopra too added, “I was very excited to be a part of Cinema100 and
it’s a mind blowing experience. Whenever I meet Subhashji or Rahul, I
just feel so glad that there is one film institute that encompasses
everything.”
The first day also saw the likes Randhir Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Kiran
Shantaram (son of V Shantaram), Rinki Roy Bhattacharya (Bimal Roy's
daughter), Rakeysh Mehra, Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra and many
others walking down the campus corridors to soak-in the cinematic
journey.
The three day festival saw a glorious opening and there is a lot more
in store for the avid film enthusiasts for the next two days ranging
from film screenings to workshops to panel discussions and more.
About Whistling Woods International
Founded by Subhash Ghai and promoted by Mukta Arts Limited & Filmcity
Mumbai, Whistling Woods International is Asia’s largest Film,
Television, Animation and Media Arts institute, providing world-class
education in all technical and creative aspects of Film, Television
and Media arts, offering courses, in the areas of Acting, Animation,
Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Producing, Screenwriting and
Sound. Whistling Woods International also offers, India’s first MBA in
Media & Entertainment in association with Manipal University.
The Academic Advisory board & Faculty of Whistling Woods International
comprises of academicians and accomplished industry professionals.
Leading Indian & International filmmakers, actors & technicians like
Rakeysh Mehra, Vishal Bharadwaj, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Farhan Akhtar,
Nandita Das, Vidya Balan, Karan Johar, Ashok Amritraj, Shyam Benegal,
Farah Khan, Danny Boyle, Leonard Goldberg, John Landis, Rajkumar
Hirani, Nagesh Kukunoor and several more conduct regular Master
classes.
The curriculum at Whistling Woods International is a unique hybrid of
theoretical and practical aspects combining art with business
principles for all specializations. The courses at Whistling Woods
International are designed to ensure that students' learnings are
collaborative and industry oriented.
Whistling Woods International has initiated affiliations with several
International film schools. These include pioneering activities in
India like credits transfer and International student co-productions.
Some of the schools that are affiliated with the Institute are Deakin
College Australia, Griffith College Australia, Bradford College UK,
Syracuse University USA & NYU Tisch Singapore.
These unique elements in the teaching methodology have seen Whistling
Woods International's student body growing from strength to strength
over the past four years. More than 15% of the student body comprises
of International students .The Institute is highly committed to
ensuring that its students move into the industry in creative and
rewarding areas of employment. Student placements have been initiated
with several leading media organizations like Aamir Khan Productions,
Anil Kapoor Productions, BIG Animation, Balaji Telefilms, Dharma
Productions, Excel Entertainment, Fox Star Studios India, Mukta Arts
Limited, Paprikaas, Red Chillies Entertainment, Reliance BIG
Entertainment, Walkwater Films and several more. Whistling Woods’
continues strongly on its path to be the institute of choice for media
education globally.
For additional information, please visit www.whistlingwoods.net. Or
write to us at info@whistlingwoods.net
Posted By RASRAJ