Whistling Woods International Hosts Prestigious Screenwriting Workshop with Renowned Scriptwriter Anjum Rajabali in association with SWA, with over 200+ participants
18 March 2026, Mumbai- Whistling Woods International (WWI), India’s premier Film, Communication & Creative Arts institute, in collaboration with the Screenwriters Association (SWA), successfully concluded a five-day intensive Screenwriting Masterclass held from 11 to 15 March 2026 at its Mumbai campus. Led by renowned screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, the programme brought together over 200 aspiring writers, filmmakers, and storytelling enthusiasts for an immersive exploration of the craft and discipline of screenwriting.
The workshop witnessed participation from individuals across India, alongside international attendees who joined virtually from locations including London and Canada, reinforcing the programme’s growing global relevance. Over five days, participants engaged in interactive lectures, curated panel discussions, screenplay analyses, and practical storytelling exercises designed to deepen their understanding of narrative construction.
The workshop focused on key elements of storytelling such as idea development, character creation, plot architecture, narrative structure, dialogue writing, and the emotional core of cinematic storytelling. Sessions also included screenings of short films and analytical discussions on iconic film scenes, enabling participants to understand the journey of stories from script to screen.
Whistling Woods International and SWA invited guests like Sriram Raghavan, Zoya Akhtar, Ashish Singh, Aparna Purohit, Sahira Nair, Divy Nidhi Sharma, Rohit Ved Prakash, Smita Singh, and Charudutt Acharya for the workshop to share their creative and professional experience from working in the industry over the years. This offered valuable exposure to the participants.
A key highlight of the workshop was the opportunity for participants to pitch their story ideas and receive constructive feedback from industry experts, providing a strong practical dimension to the learning experience.
Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Subhash Ghai, Founder & Chairman, Whistling Woods International, said, “This workshop reflects our unwavering commitment to nurturing storytelling excellence by providing aspiring writers with access to world-class mentorship and rigorous craft training. At Whistling Woods International, we believe storytelling is both an art and a responsibility, one that shapes culture and connects communities.”
Speaking about the programme, Anjum Rajabali, renowned screenwriter and Head of the Department of Screenwriting at WWI, added, “Screenwriting involves an equal mix of both art and craft, magic and mathematics, imagination and engineering. To pursue one’s original vision and ideas needs the writer to have the courage of conviction to defend them, while navigating the commercial imperatives of the industry. Screenwriting is storytelling, and that means to reveal the truth of the human condition with empathy, integrity, and insight, in an engaging way which involves the viewer emotionally.”
The masterclass concluded with a special session by veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who shared reflections from his filmmaking journey and emphasised the enduring significance of storytelling traditions and creative expression in shaping cinematic narratives.
The programme received overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants, who valued the opportunity to engage directly with leading writers and industry professionals while gaining deeper insights into the art and craft of screenwriting.
