Ms. Meghna Ghai Puri President, Whistling Woods International
Since its inception in 2012, Celebrate Cinema has become Whistling Woods International's flagship event, evolving into a unique platform where art meets audience. In a candid conversation with Mid-Day, WWI President shared how the festival has expanded beyond films to embrace the entire media and entertainment ecosystem. With this year's theme, Poetry & Music in Indian Cinema - A Tribute to Raj Kapoor & Guru Dutt, the event promises to
inspire a new generation of creators while bridging the gap between industry stalwarts and aspiring talent.
1. Celebrate Cinema has become a flagship event for Whistling Woods International since its launch in 2012. What was the vision behind starting this festival, and how has it evolved over the years?
When my father, Subhash Ghai, organized Cinema100 back in 2012 to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema, his vision was very simple yet profound: he wanted to create a space where cinema is not just watched but celebrated, understood, and truly experienced in all its dimensions. That three-day festival was such a huge success that it naturally evolved into Celebrate Cinema, which became our flagship event. Over the years, it's grown into much more than a festival. We've gone from focusing only on films to celebrating the entire media and entertainment ecosystem-television, digital, animation, even emerging technologies. What began as a three-day celebration is now a movement that continues throughout the year, inspiring collaborations, sparking conversations, and shaping careers. What truly sets Celebrate Cinema apart from other festivals are our intensive hands-on workshops that run throughout the three days. These aren't passive learning experiences students work directly with industry masters on practical skills like improv acting, woven and beaded jewellery, screenwriting and many other skills. It's this combination of inspiration through panels and practical application through workshops that makes our festival unique. Students leave not just motivated but equipped with real skills they can immediately apply in their careers.
2. This year's theme is Poetry & Music in Indian Cinema - A Tribute to Raj Kapoor & Guru Dutt Cinema. What inspired you to choose this theme, and what significance does it hold for today's generation of filmmakers and cinema lovers?
This year's theme is very close to our hearts. Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt represent the soul of Indian cinema. They weren't just filmmakers, they were poets who expressed emotions through images and music. In today's fast-paced digital world, where content often chases trends, we felt it was important to remind young creators about the timeless power of poetry and music in storytelling. Their films combined entertainment with incredible emotional depth. For the new generation, studying their work isn't about nostalgia-it's about learning how to tell stories with authenticity, with soul. They showed us that commercial success and artistic integrity can go hand in hand, and that's a lesson that will never lose its relevance.
3. Celebrate Cinema has been described as a platform where art meets audience. How does this event contribute to nurturing new talent and bridging the gap between industry veterans and aspiring professionals?
For me, Celebrate Cinema is where dreams meet their mentors. It's a space where a student's nervous energy finds comfort in a master's generosity, and something beautiful takes shape. I've seen the most powerful moments happen when industry veterans speak about their vulnerabilities on the panel-their first rejection, their biggest setback. Those stories give our students the courage to believe that they, too, can make it. Over the years, I've watched lifechanging mentorships emerge from a single heartfelt conversation about art and storytelling. What makes this truly transformative are the intensive workshops we conduct over three days-these aren't just discussions; they're hands-on training sessions where students learn directly from industry professionals. Whether it's 2D Animation, VFX Composition or on Artificial Intelligence, our workshops give students practical skills they can immediately apply. This exchange between generations is what keeps our industry alive-our veterans bring depth and experience, while the younger voices bring fresh ideas and fearless creativity. Together, they're not just protecting cinema's legacy, they're reimagining it and building a true creative family
4. The event features a mix of panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions. Which sessions or highlights are you personally most excited about this year, and why?
In all honesty, I'm excited about all our sessions since they've been very thoughtfully created for media and entertainment aspirants, ensuring they receive exactly what they need to flourish in this dynamic industry. Along with the panels, workshops, and sessions, we're also announcing âStudy UK Create to Connect Competition' with the British Council at Celebrate Cinema, which will be followed by an interactive chat with them. This collaboration we're building with the British Council represents something beautiful- how creative boundaries dissolve when passionate minds come together across nations. Every element of this year's Celebrate Cinema is designed to inspire our students and show them that dreams have no limits. It's about creating platforms where talent meets opportunity, and where geographical distances become irrelevant in the pursuit of creative excellence.
5. With industry stalwarts, students, and enthusiasts coming together, how do you see Celebrate Cinema shaping the future of India's media & entertainment industry?
For me, Celebrate Cinema is about reshaping how the industry collaborates and grows. It's becoming one of India's most influential creative ecosystems. What excites me is the way we bring together the past and the future-paying tribute to masters like Raj Kapoor and Guru
Dutt, while also engaging with today's digital pioneers. We're also very conscious about democratizing access. We want talent from smaller towns to have the same exposure as students from big cities. Through workshops and masterclasses, we're giving aspiring creatives the chance to learn directly from industry professionals. That hands-on exposure is invaluable, and it helps prepare them for real careers in media and entertainment.
6. As an educator and industry leader, what message would you like to share with young filmmakers, designers, and creative professionals who will be attending Celebrate Cinema 2025?
My message is simple: be authentic but also stay commercially aware. Study the masters-not to copy them, but to understand why their work still moves us today. Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt told deeply Indian stories, but with emotions that were universal, and that's why their films continue to resonate. Today, you have technology, platforms, and global audiences at your fingertips. However, the foundation hasn't changed-it remains about authentic storytelling that connects with people. Don't follow trends blindly; set your own. Be endlessly curious-about music, literature, technology, society-because great creativity comes from connecting dots across different worlds. And most importantly, collaborate. The future will belong to those who can work across disciplines, cultures, and generations.
7. Lastly, how do you envision the next decade of Celebrate Cinema? What new ideas or directions do you hope to explore in the future editions?
At Whistling Woods, we aim to make Celebrate Cinema a truly inclusive movement that reaches every corner of India. I hope to conduct the specialised workshops for NGO students and aspiring creators from smaller towns as well, ensuring that talent is never limited by geography or resources. I want to also expand our panels to include more diverse voices- regional filmmakers, international collaborators, and emerging digital platforms- giving us the collective power to influence industry standards and policies. By 2030, I envision Celebrate Cinema as a year-round ecosystem where every passionate storyteller, regardless of their background, finds a platform to learn, create, and shine. It's not just about growing an event; it's about nurturing a generation of authentic voices who will shape the future of Indian entertainment.
