India's first media, films, and art institute promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd. acknowledged by international media personalities as an entity of international caliber.

4th April 2005, Mumbai: Renowned pop singer Sir Cliff Richard paid a visit to Mukta Arts' upcoming state-of-the-art film, television and media arts institute Whistling Woods International (WWI) at Goregaon Film City on Saturday April 2nd as a part of his 10 day tour in India. Casting his handprints in a clay mould as a memento of luck and best wishes, Sir Cliff Richard congratulated the institute on its mission to providing students a holistic, all encompassing and truly enriching media education. Also present on the occasion were Meghna Ghai Puri - Director, Business Development, Mukta Arts Ltd., and Ravi Gupta - Executive Director, WWI.

Sir Richard's visit is the third by a personality of international repute - the first being Lord Puttnam, the Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, followed by Rob Ritchie and Marilyn Milgrom of Script Factory UK, who were in the city to conduct a scriptwriting and screenplay writing workshop from 29th March to 2nd April organized by WWI in association with the British Council. (Can we say this?)

"The need of the hour is to nurture talent and creativity not only through knowledge, but also though invaluable feedback based on industry experience. Realizing this key ingredient of success, WWI will consistently endeavor to give students the opportunity to grow and learn from inspirational industry icons," said Meghna Ghai Puri, Director, Business Development, Mukta Arts Ltd.

The 2-part workshop on Script work and advanced screenwriting organized by Whistling Woods International in association with British Council from March 29th to April 1st was the first of a series of forthcoming initiatives to offer the aspiring media students a chance to benefit from the profound insight and professional expertise garnered by Rob Ritchie and Marilyn Milgrom from Script Factory UK over the years. The workshop saw participation from eminent Indian film industry members such as Ashutosh Gowariker, Dev Benegal, Paromita Vohra, Rahul DaCunha, Sooni Taraporewala, Ravi Gupta and Somnath Sen amongst others, facilitating exchange of thoughts and meeting of like minds.

Earlier in the year, the institute was graced by Lord Puttnam (one of the patrons of WWI along with Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Kanwal Rekhi and Parminder Vir), renown for his key productions Midnight Express, Chariots of Fire, The Killing Fields and The Mission.

Sprawling across 20 acres in the heart of Goregaon Film City, Whistling Woods International believes that interaction with media veterans is crucial to inspire and hone budding talent. As such, the institute would schedule key discussion sessions and workshops for its students with its patrons and members of its advisory board - comprising Indian and international media stalwarts of the likes of Subhash Ghai, Shyam Benegal, Ketan Mehta, Kundan Shah, Aruna Raje, Gautam Ghose, Pamella Rooks, Sudhir Mishra, Jawed Sayeed, Sai Paranjpe, Mira Nair, Girish Kasarvali, M.F. Husain, Saryu Doshi, Neena Gupta, Mita Vashisht, Anup Singh, Vikas Desai, Kittu Gidwani, Rajat Kapoor, Pallavi Joshi, Divya Dutta, Manmohan Shetty, Anupam Kher and many more.

Whistling Woods International [WWI]:
The Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, Television & Media Arts is a professional training conservatory dedicated to excellence in motion picture and television craft and to the practical business of making films in India. Meeting the needs of a vast pool of untrained talent eager to acquire the technical skills and creative acumen needed to enter India's burgeoning entertainment industry, WWI offers international standards of education and expertise through a uniquely Indian perspective. Nestled in the heart of Mumbai's renowned film city at Goregaon, and promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd, WWI equips students with aesthetic, theoretical and practical knowledge through a cutting-edge program taught by inspired, gifted experts. The Institute offers 7 2-yr full-time immersion specializations comprising Screenwriting, Cinematography, Sound Recording and Design, Direction, Acting, Editing and Production in addition to other short courses, which have been designed with the expertise and guidance of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. For further information, visit: www.whistlingwoods.net