Latest news with #WhistlingWoodsInternational
Hans India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Whistling Woods launches Mohd Rafi Music Scholarship in tribute to the iconic singer
In a fitting tribute to one of Indian music's greatest legends, Whistling Woods International, under the leadership of its Chairman Subhash Ghai, has launched the Mohd Rafi Music Scholarship to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of playback maestro Mohammed Rafi. The announcement was made during the inaugural ceremony of the Cadence Music Festival 2025 on Monday, creating an evening steeped in reverence and celebration. The event saw the presence of several dignitaries and veterans from the Indian music industry, with Shahid Mohd. Rafi, the son of the legendary singer, attending the ceremony and expressing his gratitude. An emotional Shahid remarked, 'Abba Huzoor was a man of discipline, completely devoted to music. Thank you Subhash ji for honouring his legacy with this scholarship.' Filmmaker Subhash Ghai shared a touching personal anecdote, recalling how, as a young boy, the first song he ever hummed was Rafi Saahab's. 'Rafi Saahab's voice had a soul. Through this scholarship, we want to encourage and support the next generation of singers who embody that same passion and dedication,' he said, visibly moved by the moment. Renowned singer Sonu Nigam also paid an emotional tribute, calling Rafi a musical institution in himself. 'There isn't a singer today who hasn't been inspired by Rafi Saahab. His voice modulation and divine quality remain unmatched,' he noted, drawing comparisons with another musical great, Lata Mangeshkar. The Mohd Rafi Music Scholarship will be granted annually to a deserving student from the Whistling Woods School of Music, aimed at nurturing emerging talent and keeping alive the timeless legacy of Mohammed Rafi for generations to come.
Economic Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Prateik Smita Patil's painful confession: 'My grandmother died seeing me a drug addict'
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Actor Prateik Smita Patil recently opened up about the dark chapter of his early years, candidly sharing how his dependence on drugs led to his expulsion from Subhash Ghai 's prestigious acting institute. In a heartfelt interview, the actor reflected on how substance abuse cast a shadow over both his personal relationships and budding who first appeared on the big screen in 2008 with Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, confessed that he had become what he described as a 'troubled soul' due to his addictions. Today, he carries deep remorse for the choices he made during that turbulent time."I took a series of destructive turns," he admitted. "I don't think I could have behaved differently back then. From an early age, I was grappling with emotional weight. Eventually, I chose to escape through alcohol and drugs. I surrendered to my vulnerabilities. I had my own reasons—complex, layered reasons. It's not as straightforward as it may seem today. But those decisions led to the collapse of everything—from my career path to my personal stability."Raised by his maternal grandparents after losing his mother during childbirth, Prateik described how his addiction hurt not just himself but also those who loved him most. 'In the final years of her life, my grandmother saw the worst version of me,' he shared with visible regret. 'I was deep into substance dependence. She passed away while I was still struggling. That remains one of my biggest regrets. I so badly wish she had lived long enough to witness who I've become now.'He also recounted the specific moment he was asked to leave Whistling Woods International , the film school founded by Subhash Ghai. 'After shooting Jaane Tu, I enrolled at Whistling Woods,' he recalled. 'I dabbled in classes, unsure of what I wanted. I stayed there for almost two years, but then I was expelled for using drugs. Looking back, there's a strange irony to it. I got kicked out of every academic institution I attended. I had become a danger to myself and a disruption to others.'While his journey was filled with painful mistakes, Prateik's story now carries a message of growth and healing. Through painful reflection, he is confronting his past and striving to shape a better future—one not defined by the chaos he once embraced but by the strength he's now building.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Prateik Smita Patil's painful confession: 'My grandmother died seeing me a drug addict'
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Actor Prateik Smita Patil recently opened up about the dark chapter of his early years, candidly sharing how his dependence on drugs led to his expulsion from Subhash Ghai 's prestigious acting institute. In a heartfelt interview, the actor reflected on how substance abuse cast a shadow over both his personal relationships and budding who first appeared on the big screen in 2008 with Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, confessed that he had become what he described as a 'troubled soul' due to his addictions. Today, he carries deep remorse for the choices he made during that turbulent time."I took a series of destructive turns," he admitted. "I don't think I could have behaved differently back then. From an early age, I was grappling with emotional weight. Eventually, I chose to escape through alcohol and drugs. I surrendered to my vulnerabilities. I had my own reasons—complex, layered reasons. It's not as straightforward as it may seem today. But those decisions led to the collapse of everything—from my career path to my personal stability."Raised by his maternal grandparents after losing his mother during childbirth, Prateik described how his addiction hurt not just himself but also those who loved him most. 'In the final years of her life, my grandmother saw the worst version of me,' he shared with visible regret. 'I was deep into substance dependence. She passed away while I was still struggling. That remains one of my biggest regrets. I so badly wish she had lived long enough to witness who I've become now.'He also recounted the specific moment he was asked to leave Whistling Woods International , the film school founded by Subhash Ghai. 'After shooting Jaane Tu, I enrolled at Whistling Woods,' he recalled. 'I dabbled in classes, unsure of what I wanted. I stayed there for almost two years, but then I was expelled for using drugs. Looking back, there's a strange irony to it. I got kicked out of every academic institution I attended. I had become a danger to myself and a disruption to others.'While his journey was filled with painful mistakes, Prateik's story now carries a message of growth and healing. Through painful reflection, he is confronting his past and striving to shape a better future—one not defined by the chaos he once embraced but by the strength he's now building.
Indian Express
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Prateik Smita Patil recalls getting kicked out of filmmaker Subhash Ghai's college for doing drugs: ‘I was a raging addict'
Prateik Smita Patil, the son of the late actress and veteran star Raj Babbar, was just 22 when he shot for his debut film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008). After completing the shoot for the film, he was enrolled in Mumbai's Whistling Woods International. However, the acting institute founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai threw him out within two years of his joining due to his drug addiction. In a recent interview with Bollywood Bubble, Prateik claimed that his addiction brought a huge downfall in both his personal and professional career, leaving him with deep regrets. He said, 'I made very bad choices. I won't say I could have done anything differently because I was going through something since a very young age. I made the choice of getting into alcohol and substance abuse again. I gave into my weakness. I had valid reasons, if I may. Things were far more complicated than it sounds when we talk about it now. But those choices brought a downfall in both my profession and personal life.' Prateik, who was raised by his maternal grandparents after the passing of his mother during childbirth, regrets giving a tough time to them. He said, 'The grandparents saw the worst of me in those last few years. I was a raging addict. My grandmother died seeing me an addict. That's something I regret. I wish she could see the man I have become today.' While talking about the kind of impact his addiction had on his life, Prateik recalled being kicked out of several schools and colleges, one being founded by filmmaker Subhash Ghai. 'I shot Jaane Tu and then I went to Whistling Woods. I was studying a little bit here and there. There was a kind of slump as I didn't know what I was doing. I was there for about 2 years and then I was thrown out of Whistling Woods for doing drugs. Now that I think about it, It is funny. I got thrown out of every school and college I went into. I was a menace.'
Business Standard
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Whistling Woods International Announces Admissions for July 2025 Intake; Entrance Exam Scheduled From April 24 to 26 2025
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 22: Whistling Woods International (WWI) has announced its entrance exam schedule for the July 2025 intake. Prospective students interested in pursuing a career in film, media & creative arts fields can apply for WWI's full-time degree, post-graduate, and diploma programmes, which are offered in association with the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). With a strong alumni network of over 3,700 graduates excelling across the media and entertainment industry, WWI provides a solid foundation for aspiring professionals. WWI is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) and has also been awarded the Excellence in Creative & Performing Arts at the 6th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards in 2019. Additionally, WWI is globally acclaimed, having been listed among the 'Top Institutes of Influence' by Forbes India. Applications are now open for all the programmes in Filmmaking, Animation & Game Design, Fashion & Costume Design, Visual Communication Design, Media Communication & Management, Acting, and Music. These courses combine hands-on learning with industry- aligned education to prepare students for thriving careers in their chosen fields. Entrance Exam Dates The entrance exams are scheduled for April 24, 25 & 26, 2025, with dates allocated to specific courses as follows: - 24 April 2025 - BSc Filmmaking, MA Filmmaking, MA Screenwriting, Diploma in Screenwriting, BA Music Production C Composition - 25 April 2025 - BDes Animation, BDes Game Design, BDes Fashion Design, BA Acting
