Renowned names from the film fraternity and the media and entertainment corporate world like Shammi Kapoor, Gulzar and Shekhar Kapur were present on this occasion.
Congratulating the students and speaking on the occasion, , Whistling Woods International Founder and Chairman Mr. Subhash Ghai said, “Today, Whistling Woods International’s alumni are successful professionals in their specialized fields and I am proud that our efforts at the institute have yielded enviable results. The students receiving their degrees and diplomas will shape up to be the future industry leaders.”
Addressing the students, Mr. Shekhar Kapur, the keynote speaker of the evening remarked, “Today, we need to reinvent films and the film industry. The secret of making fresh and relevant films lies in unlearning one’s knowledge. The disadvantage of formal training or creativity to an extent is that you surround yourself with a wall, and spend the rest of your life trying to break it down. Think fresh and keep an open mind to tap into new mediums like the internet. Your competition will be from amateurs who are already breaking the rules of cinema. However, for young filmmakers, passion is the most important quality.”
The graduating batch has already got placed at UTV, Santosh Sivan Films, Percept and Red Chillies Entertainment, among other names.
Keeping with the tradition of the event of honoring an artist and a technician for their contribution to Indian cinema, this year’s Maestro Awards were conferred to Mr. Gulzar and Mr. Shammi Kapoor.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gulzar remarked, “A career in the film industry is one where dreams and reality are interchangeable, and it is a long journey ahead for you.”
Addressing the students, Mr. Shammi Kapoor added, “You students are on a beautiful road which will lead someplace that you won’t know yet. Your journey will be glamorous but there will be a lot of frustration, you have to keep moving ahead despite all odds. 2% luck is important but your 98% hard work will pay off eventually.”
