14th October, Mumbai- In a momentous occasion that bridged business, cinema, and national identity, Mr. Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, and Dr. Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, graced Whistling Woods International (WWI) during Celebrate Cinema 2025.
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Mr. Adani addressed students and guests during the session, held in the distinguished presence of Vivek Khanzode, IIM Dean, Academic, Badri Narayan Tiwari, Vice Chancellor, TISS, Swati Mase Patil, MD Filmcity celebrated filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, veteran actor Jackie Shroff, acclaimed star Kartik Aaryan, noted producer Mahaveer Jain, and Subhash Ghai, Chairman & Founder represented a rare convergence of India’s most respected voices from cinema, business, academia, and philanthropy. In his keynote, “Mr. Adani said, ‘Dreams aren’t what we see in our sleep; real dreams are those that keep us awake.’ His words left every student deeply inspired to dream big and pursue those dreams with relentless determination.”
Mr. Adani’s message to the students of WWI “May your generation be the one that gave Bharat her voice back. May your generation be the one that gave Bharat her song back. May your generation be the one that gave Bharat her stories back and may the halls of Whistling Woods International forever echo with the whistle of Bharat’s youth a whistle that speaks the truth, that sings with pride, and that reminds the world of our timeless philosophy.”
Mr. Subhash Ghai, Founder and Chairman of Whistling Woods International, lauded the address, stating, “I am deeply grateful to Mr. Gautam Adani and Dr. Priti Adani for gracing us with their presence and sharing such a powerful perspective with our students. His words on Cinematic Soul of Nation-Building to AI have given our young creators a profound understanding of their responsibility as storytellers. This is the kind of wisdom that will stay with them throughout their careers.”
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In a touching tribute to Mr. Gautam Adani and Dr. Priti Adani, WWI students presented personalized tokens of appreciation that reflected their creativity and skill. The School of Creative Arts unveiled a hand-painted portrait of the guests, while the School of Fashion & Costume Design presented specially crafted designs inspired by themes of creativity and innovation. The session concluded with Mr. Subhash Ghai and Ms. Meghna Ghai Puri felicitating Mr. Gautam Adani, Dr. Priti Adani, and the other distinguished guests. The event also witnessed the felicitation of 66 deserving WWI students across various courses with scholarships for the upcoming academic year.
This 13th edition of Celebrate Cinema marked yet another milestone in Whistling Woods International’s journey of celebrating art, creativity, and the evolving language of cinema. Over three vibrant days, the festival brought together more than 50 immersive workshops, multiple panel discussions and exhibits, featuring some of India’s most celebrated voices from the worlds of film, music, and digital storytelling. The festival commenced with an inspiring panel on “Celebrating Poetry & Music in Indian Cinema” featuring Gulzar Sahab, Subhash Ghai, and Salim Arif, moderated by Kausar Munir.
Another major highlight was a special Tribute to Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Rahul Rawail and Salim Arif offering students rare insights into the creative legacies of two cinematic legends. Panels such as “Maturing of the Creator Economy” featuring Ashish Chanchlani, Viraj Ghelani, and Ishitta Arun, and “Filmed Entertainment in the Age of AI” featuring Mandar Natekar, Raghu Naik, Karan Taley, and Ayushi Anand, sparked meaningful conversations on the future of storytelling.
The energy soared with interactive sessions by influencers because why not and Bunshah, while the Saiyaara team, Mohit Suri, Mithoon, Raj Shekhar, Rohan Shankar, Sankalp Sadanah, and Vishal Mishra, joined Subhash Ghai for an electrifying Q&A on music, emotion, and cinematic expression.
In another powerful session, Anjum Rajabali led a discussion on “Young Filmmakers with Convictions: Navigating the Industry Today” with Alankrita Shrivastava, Arati Kadav, Kanu Behl, Karan Singh Tyagi, and Shazia Iqbal, underscoring that, “The heart of cinema will always be the story. As technology evolves, the screenwriter’s role becomes even more crucial to anchor the spectacle in emotional truth.”
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With a remarkable confluence of ideas, creativity, and inspiration, Celebrate Cinema 2025 concluded as a resounding success reaffirming Whistling Woods International’s mission to nurture future storytellers who will define the cultural narrative of tomorrow.
About WWI
Whistling Woods International (WWI), located in Mumbai’s Filmcity, is India’s premier institute for Film, Communication & Creative Arts. Established in 2006, WWI delivers hands-on, industry-oriented education through world-class infrastructure and expert faculty. Courses offered include Filmmaking, Actor’s Studio, Media & Communication, Visual Communication Design, Fashion & Costume Design, Animation & Game Design, Music, and Short Courses. The 5.5-acre campus fosters a blend of creative and business learning through immersive, real-world training. With 4000+ alumni in the media and entertainment industry, WWI continues to shape the next generation of storytellers. At its core, the institute upholds creativity, knowledge, empathy, and respect.
