Latest news with #WhistlingWoodsInternational
News18
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Isha Koppikar To Play A Mom In Rocketship, First Look Out Now
Rocketship, directed and written by Arjun Menon, promises to be a moving tale about the mother-daughter bond. Bollywood actress Isha Koppikar is once again proving that star power goes beyond her role on the silver screen. Known for supporting fresh talent, the actress has now stepped up to guide filmmaking students at Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International. How? She is starring in their diploma project, Rocketship, helping them with her expertise, talent, experience and industry charm, allowing them to turn their dream into reality. The makers shared the first look of the project on Instagram, attached to a note. It read, 'WHEN DREAMS FIND WINGS, THEY SOAR BEYOND THE STARS! Presented by Whistling Woods International, comes a student short film that dares to dream big – 'ROCKETSHIP' starring the magnificent Isha Koppikar … and the brilliant Amayira Sharma." This slice-of-life short film, directed and written by Arjun Menon, produced by Harmanraai Singh Sehgal, promises to be a moving tale that will resonate with the audience. The teaser will be out soon, as shared by the makers on Instagram. Looking at the poster, Rocketship appears to be a warm, emotional story about a mother-daughter bond. Isha Koppikar On Joining Project For Isha, it was an emotional decision to join the project. In a statement, she shared, 'When I was approached by the students, I was more than happy and willing to help them out with the project. These students have immense potential and that became very evident when they narrated the story and the script to me. I relate to these kids because they are starting from scratch, just like I did. I had no Godfather in the industry. So to see them build their dreams from the beginning is more than motivating and fulfilling for me." Isha Koppikar's Acting Journey Isha Koppikar, who made her Bollywood debut in 2001 with Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat alongside Arjun Rampal and Suniel Shetty, has since left an indelible mark in the Bollywood industry. Throughout her career, she has been part of films like Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa, Don and Krishna Cottage. Her last big screen appearance was in Love You Loktantra, directed by Abhay Nihalani. The film stars Krishna Abhishek, Ali Asgar, Sapna Choudhary, Manoj Joshi, Ravi Kishan, Ameet Kumar, Rohit Singh Matru, Sudhir Pandey and Sneha Ullal in the key roles. On the personal front, Isha married Timmy Narang, a businessman, in 2009. However, their marriage hit a rough patch after a decade and they got divorced in November 2023. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Fashion Value Chain
a day ago
- General
- Fashion Value Chain
WWI & Ministry of Textiles Mark National Handloom Day
Whistling Woods International (WWI), one of India's leading institutes for Film, Communication, and Creative Arts, joined forces with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to commemorate National Handloom Day with a vibrant and immersive celebration. The event honored India's centuries-old weaving traditions, blending cultural heritage with contemporary creative expression. Hosted at the WWI campus, the program served as both a tribute and a live learning platform for students, offering them a rare, hands-on experience of the art and intricacies of handloom weaving. Master weavers from diverse regions of India demonstrated their skills on heritage looms, guiding audiences through the process—from spinning raw yarn to creating intricate woven textiles. This live craft showcase gave students direct insight into the precision, patience, and artistry behind each fabric. Hemant Gupta, Deputy Director of Designs at the Weavers' Service Centre, explained the motivation behind the collaboration: 'We chose Whistling Woods International because it unites traditional craftsmanship with forward-looking design education. Engaging with young talent ensures India's handloom legacy remains both relevant and respected in the global design narrative.' The WWI community also gathered to watch a live broadcast of the Hon'ble President of India's address, which highlighted the significance of handlooms in preserving India's cultural identity and strengthening its rural economy. The message inspired attendees to view heritage not as a relic, but as a foundation for future creativity. The celebration culminated in a Handloom Fashion Showcase and a series of cultural performances. Fashion Design students presented contemporary silhouettes crafted entirely from traditional handloom fabrics, illustrating how age-old weaving techniques can be reinterpreted for modern aesthetics. The energy of the event was amplified by dynamic dance performances, symbolizing the rhythm, color, and spirit of India's artisanal traditions. WWI President Meghna Ghai Puri reflected on the day's significance: 'Every thread tells a story; every weave carries the soul of our nation's heritage. This extraordinary collaboration brought centuries of artistry alive for our students. When young designers learn directly from master craftsmen, they carry forward a cultural legacy that will inspire future generations.' By combining cultural immersion with academic engagement, this celebration underscored the role of institutions like WWI in safeguarding and revitalizing India's traditional arts within a modern, globally connected design ecosystem.
Pink Villa
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Meet Rahul Mody, Shraddha Kapoor's rumored beau who wrote films like Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Pyaar Ka Punchnama and more
Shraddha Kapoor has been making headlines for her relationship with rumored boyfriend Rahul Mody. The actress had earlier made their affair Instagram official with a mushy post that first hinted at the duo being together. Since then, she has kept teasing his presence in her posts. Now, fans are quite intrigued to learn more about Shraddha's boyfriend. So we have got all the information you would like to read about him; keep scrolling further. Rahul Mody's education and early interest in filmmaking Rahul Mody was born on October 7, 1990, into a businessman's family. His dad, Amod Mody, runs a metal fabrication business. After completing his school, Shraddha Kapoor's rumored boyfriend pursued a Diploma in Engineering and had planned to follow in his father's footsteps and become a businessman just like him. However, this dream changed after he secretly began visiting Mumbai's Film City under the guise of dropping his sister off at school. Once, he visited the sets of Irrfan Khan starrer Billu Barber and saw the filming of the song Marjani ft. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. This moment ignited his passion for filmmaking. His shift from Engineering to Bollywood His early experiences made him a big fan of the entire filmmaking process, and eventually led him to enroll at Whistling Woods International. He pursued film studies there and eventually dropped out in his second year. His first internship on a film set In 2011, Rahul Mody landed an internship on the set of Pyaar Ka Punchnama, starring Kartik Aaryan and others. This marked his entry into the industry and the beginning of his association with Luv Ranjan. He gained hands-on experience in production, scripting, and direction. Rahul Mody's career as a writer In 2015, he marked his debut as a co-writer alongside Luv Ranjan for Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. He also worked as an associate director in this film. In 2018, he wrote Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, which was a massive commercial success. In 2023, he co-wrote Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. This film was special also because it is where he met his rumored girlfriend, Shraddha Kapoor. Rahul Mody and Shraddha Kapoor's relationship The two lovebirds reportedly met and grew close while working together on Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Their relationship became the talk of the town when Shraddha and Rahul attended Anant Ambani's pre-wedding festivities together in early 2024. After this, there are a couple of Instagram posts featuring the actresses that subtly either include Rahul or mention him, or we catch a glimpse of him in the background. Whatever it is, we bet fans love these two and cannot wait for them to take the next plunge in their relationship.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Fire erupts on sets of TV serial Anupamaa
Mumbai: A fire broke out on the sets of TV serial Anupamaa on Film City Road, Goregaon West, at around 6 am on Monday. According to fire brigade officials, the fire was confined to electric installations, iron materials, decorative material, cameras, costumes, lighting systems, and studio equipment, among others, in a 5,000 square feet area of the set near Whistling Woods International, Film City Complex. The fire was extinguished at 10.15 am, and no injuries were reported. According to the production house, no unit members were present, and only security personnel and set staff were on site. The production house also stated that no animals were harmed, and proper care was taken for their safety. The exact cause of the fire is still being determined.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vivek Soni on Aap Jaisa Koi: ‘Any story told through the personal lens will touch people's heart'
Exuding old-school charm, the upcoming 'Aap Jaisa Koi' is a modern love story in which 'a buttoned-up older man falls for a feisty young woman'. Directed by Vivek Soni, it follows the story of Shrirenu (R Madhavan), a reserved Sanskrit teacher, and Madhu (Fatima Sana Shaikh), a spirited French instructor as they navigate layered family ties. The film produced by Dharmatic Entertainment will premiere on Netflix on July 11. Soni, who has earlier helmed 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' (2021), featuring Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani, and is set to direct Ananya Panday's 'Chand Mera Dil', talks about directing R Madhavan and his creative process. Excerpts: Tell us about your journey from making social drama 'Bawdi' (2012) to directing a rom-com feature. I made 'Bawdi', a short film, as part of my film direction course from Whistling Woods International. I co-wrote 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' with my friend Aarsh Vora. We developed it with Dharma and later Netflix came on board. In the case of 'Aap Jaisa Koi', Netflix approached Dharma with the story that's written by Radhika Anand and Jehan Handa. When they shared it with me, it was a 10-page-long story; I loved it. Both my feature films are love stories at heart and speak about different aspects of life. R Madhavan returns as a romantic hero after a gap. How did he come on board? After we finished writing the screenplay, we approached him and he liked the story. He is an actor who balances warmth and nuance in his performance. He also fits into the age bracket of the character — above 40. Have you done the de-aging for him? No. He just shaved his beard. Did you do any workshops for Madhavan and Fatima? We did readings together. I follow the process of meeting the actors individually first, going through the script, scenes and character graph. I did that separately with Maddy Sir and Fatima. Then we sat together and went over the script and details. It might come across as a cliché but the entire 36-day shoot with them was memorable. Your films 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' and 'Love Storiyaan's Love on Air' (2024) episode, as well as 'Aap Jaisa Koi' are set in different parts of the country. The location is one of the most crucial aspects of the story. Before starting any project, I take into account the kind of landscape I am getting to explore through the story. This determines the costumes, sounds and visuals. With 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar', I explored Tamil Nadu. When I did 'Love Storiyaan', I got a chance to shoot in Meghalaya. For 'Aap Jaisa Koi', I wanted to explore Kolkata. Do you think romance as a genre lacks freshness today? There are good romantic stories told in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. When people go to a theatre, they want a spectacle. It is also about what's being consumed. However, I believe any story that's told through a personal lens is going to touch people's hearts. What are the things on top of your mind while you are writing or developing a project? One thumb rule is to give it a personal touch. For example, if it's the scene of a man proposing to a woman, the act should not come across as generic. Their individuality should reflect in that scene. From growing up in Rajasthan to making films in Mumbai, how did you make that journey? I'm from Rajasthan's Bhilwara. After I finished my schooling there, I lived in Kota to prepare for engineering. From 2004 to 2008, I studied at Hyderabad's ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. After that I moved to Mumbai and worked in advertising. Later, I joined Whistling Woods International to study direction for two years. Are you inspired by any particular filmmakers? Since my childhood I have been a movie-buff. While preparing for this film, I revisited the works of filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Rituparno Ghosh, Aki Kaurismäki, Wes Anderson, Billy Wilder, Wong Kar-wai and Paul Thomas Anderson. It was an intuitive decision.
