One of Bollywood’s most prominent filmmakers, Subhash Ghai originally came to Bombay (Mumbai) with dreams of becoming an actor. With no contacts and no one to help him, his journey was a struggle. He eventually found success as a writer and filmmaker, and over the course of his career—not only through critically acclaimed films—he became known for launching new talent, introducing stars like Jackie Shroff, Meenakshi Seshadri, and Mahima Chaudhry to the industry.

“Whistling Woods is quite a story,” says Meghna Ghai Puri, President of Whistling Woods International (WWI) and Ghai’s daughter. “It is the dream of a young, struggling actor who once promised himself that when he made it in the industry, he’d build a space where young talent from across the country could come together and support one another.”

To raise funds for the film school, Ghai took his production house, Mukta Arts, public. He scouted for land, studied the campuses of renowned international film schools, and envisioned a one-of-its-kind creative arts college. “My father really put his money where his mouth is. He decided to do everything it took not just to build the school, but to actually sustain it.”

Materialising The Vision

Though often referred to as a film school, WWI offers a wide range of courses including acting, fashion, music production, media and communication, visual arts, graphic design, animation, game development—and even a business management degree. Essentially, it covers everything connected to the entertainment industry.

In 2001, Meghna had just completed her business management degree in the UK when her father asked her to return to India to help him set up the school. Though she initially had little interest in being part of the film industry—especially on the creative side—she took him up on the offer, knowing how important the project was to him.

“There’s no school in the world quite like what we’ve built. You have film schools, fashion schools, acting schools… but to have all of it under one roof? That’s rare.” The creative synergies that come from having so many disciplines together in one space were exactly what Subhash Ghai had envisioned. Inaugurated in 2006, the 5.5-acre campus in Film City, Goregaon, Mumbai, brings together students from every stream. Film students make projects for fashion students, music students compose background scores for film assignments—and when they enter the industry, they already have a trusted creative community to rely on.

“Very rarely do we have students with industry connections—maybe one or two here and there. But we now have over 4,000 Whistling Woods alumni in leading positions across the industry, constantly collaborating with one another.”

From Avant-Garde To Essential

“Twenty years ago, Whistling Woods may have been ahead of its time. Back then, people didn’t quite understand how viable a career in media could be.” That perception shifted significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with healthcare and education, entertainment became a lifeline.

The lockdowns also accelerated the use of high-end technology in production—a trend that had already begun in the West due to high labour costs. In a classic case of being ‘late to the party but best dressed’, the Indian film industry is now actively pushing boundaries in virtual production.

“A budget constraint should never come in the way of your creative vision,” says Meghna. WWI is pioneering that approach through its Emerging Media Lab—a hub dedicated to new technologies and evolving workflows. “Virtual production, which was initially seen as a Western concept, is actually being developed faster and more efficiently here.”

How Vast Can A Curriculum Get?

Teaching creative arts is no easy feat. It’s an ever-evolving field, with new forms, techniques, and technologies constantly reshaping the landscape. WWI’s goal is to ensure that every graduate is industry-ready and employable.

“We try to build a curriculum that is true to itself and aligned with the industry they’re going to join.” The institute also places a strong emphasis on academic excellence and holistic development. “We’re affiliated with one of India’s best universities—the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. We want our students to earn a degree they’re proud of.” That process involves rigorous assessments, the possibility of re-taking exams, and sometimes even repeating a year.

For practical exposure, WWI hosts a variety of initiatives, including film forums where entire crews—actors, directors, cinematographers, and editors—come in to break down the making of a film: what worked, what didn’t, and the challenges they faced. These sessions help students stay grounded and in touch with industry realities.

“We don’t run courses in shifts. Our students are on campus from morning to evening.” And between classes, individual assignments and collaborative projects, there’s always something going on.