"WWI is a temple of education for the film and media industry" ~Film Industry turns up in full-force to support Whistling Woods International~

“Whistling Woods International (WWI) is the temple, gurudwara, church and masjid of the Indian film and media industry. It cannot be allowed to suffer due to the follies of others. We wish to celebrate the vision of the film-maker Subhash Ghai and that of the Indian entertainment industry through WWI. Long Live WWI.”, said noted film-maker & VP IMPA (Indian Motion Pictures Association) Ashok Pandit.

Shabana Azmi who has been on the Academic Advisory Board of WWI since 2003 and was also representing the film industry said, “In Chinese the word for crisis and opportunity is the same. We will turn this crisis into an opportunity. I do believe Whistling Woods is filling a huge gap in providing training to students in departments of filmmaking. I would like all film students aspiring for training to get that opportunity. I am with you all the way!” she said to the 100s of Students & Alumni who turned up in support.

The above media industry stalwarts were speaking in the press meetorganized by the students & Faculty of Whistling Woods International, the Mumbai based institute for film, television, animation and media on Wednesday to talk to the media about their views on the recent Supreme Court ruling which dictates that post July 2014 the school will not be able to function out of Goregaon, Film City. Present on the dais along with Anjum Rajabali, noted Screenwriter & Head of Department of Screenwriting of Whistling Woods International were also many other eminent personalities likes film makers Ketan Mehta, Amol Gupte, Govind Nihalani, Nagesh Kukunoor and producers like Boney Kapoor, and also Alumni of WWI & Producer Aditi Anand and current Editing Student Raghu Naik.

Hundreds of current students & alumni of Whistling Woods at the venue were disillusioned and anguished by this outcome.  Speaking on behalf of all other students Raghu Naik, Student said “We are deeply saddened by the verdict meted out by the courts. Whistling Woods is a platform that allows for people like us who have no godfathers and backing in media and film, to get an entry into the industry and make it big.

This institute trains you in an art that very few schools can impart education in, and gives you a leg up based on pure merit. The fact that I have been given substantial scholarship by the Institute to be able to complete my education at WWI shows the intent of the promoters to educate & give opportunities to talentedindividuals who have dreams like myself.”

In an emotional speech, director Amol Gupte thanked WWI and its students for helping him for almost two years now to train underprivileged school students from the slums in the art of film-making and wondered wherewould his students from there go for higher education if WWI campus does not function from Filmcity.

Strong support was voiced by leaders of various film and television industry trade bodies controlling more than a few lacs memberships, like Dharmesh Tiwari, President of Federation of West India Cine Employees, and its General Secretary Dinesh Chaturvedi; Western India Film Producers Association head Sangram Shirke, Vice President of Indian Motion Pictures Association NareshManot, and many others. The unified voice was that “WWI is not an institute of just one film-maker or company, but of the entire film and media industry and hence the industry will pledge to come on the streets to protect it” noted Tiwari and Shirke. The associations also questioned “Why is it that the Film Industry is always treated as a soft target by the powers that be?” 

Filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor emphasized that “the Government would be setting a really bad precedent if they didn’t support the Institute”. 

Disappointed by the ruling Subhash Ghai said, “It is a sad moment for us to see a labour of love – Whistling Woods being asked to vacate the land that over a 1000 students called home for the past 6 Years.  Whistling Woods will stand steady and continue operations in Mumbai and other States too. We remain firm in our endeavor and commitment to education and will bring the best of training and teaching, to aspirants and students who want to make a mark in the media, film and television industry.”

Answering to media queries, WWI Chairman Subhash Ghai noted that he has the highest regards for the judiciary and has all options open for him to protect the campus: review petition, appealing the President of India, and the like. “I am determined to continue with the WWI vision and education, and I am confident that the society, the judiciary and statesmen will see reason andhelp us find a way out,” he noted.