The Whistling Woods – Neeta Lulla School of Fashion opens in August 2013

 
Thinking of fashion as a career option? You no longer need to look at Paris or Milan for a formal education. Two legendary game-changers in their respective industries, Subhash Ghai and Neeta Lulla, have joined forces today to create a revolutionary fashion school, the Whistling Woods – Neeta Lulla School of Fashion (WWNL) in India. Spearheaded academically by Neeta Lulla and featuring a guest faculty of renowned fashion industry greats, the WWNL aims to create the next generation of fashion designers and fashion industry professionals. The WWNL will commence classes in August 2013 with admissions opening in the second week of May 2013. 
Speaking at the formal launch, Subhash Ghai, Founder and Chairman- Whistling Woods International said “Fashion has always played an integral role in films. Through fashion, characters come alive before the camera. Neeta Lulla who has spent so many years with the industry has continually strived to grow the field of fashion, both within the film industry and outside of it. I’m delighted that Whistling Woods is partnering with her to create the Whistling Woods – Neeta Lulla School of Fashion”. 

Courses run will be a Diploma in Fashion Design (1-year) and an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design (2-years). Students will undergo a rigorous and thorough curriculum designed under the tutelage of Neeta Lulla and adhering to the high academic standards set forth by Whistling Woods. The WWNL School of Fashion will also be bridging the gap between industry and academia by bringing on board an Advisory board consisting of industry specialists, guest & visiting faculty from the industry. The institute also plans to invite globally renowned teachers from Europe’s finest fashion schools and the global fashion industry to deliver guest lectures. 
Neeta Lulla, winner of four National Film Awards for Best Costume Design, who has partnered with Whistling Woods International as the Dean of the WWNL, said, “When I started out in the fashion industry, there were limited options available within fashion education in India but today, it gives me great pride to announce our school of fashion that will train fashion aspirants to excel at the highest levels. I could not see a better fit than Whistling Woods to partner with and to launch a structured comprehensive School of Fashion and I’m thrilled to be working with Subhashji and his institute for the same.” 
Ms. Meghna Ghai-Puri, President-Whistling Woods International said “We’re very excited to be launching the fashion space. This is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time and we couldn’t have found a better partner. Whistling Woods has always been the best platform for industry aspirants. With the launch of the Whistling Woods – Neeta Lulla School of Fashion, we are reinforcing our commitment to developing local talent in all spheres of the thriving Indian film industry.”
 About Whistling Woods International
Founded by renowned director-writer-producer Mr. Subhash Ghai and promoted by Mukta Arts Ltd, Whistling Woods International is Asia’s premier film, communication and media arts institute rated amongst the 10 best film-schools in the world by ‘The Hollywood Reporter’. It offers courses in Acting, Animation, Cinematography, Direction, Editing, Producing, Screenwriting, Sound Recording and Design and Media Management Studies that are designed to be heavily practical and delivered under a unique educational methodology by a luminary faculty and accentuated by guest lectures by leading Indian & international filmmakers.
Whistling Woods International has initiated affiliations with several International film schools. These include pioneering activities in India like credits transfer and International student co-productions. Some of the schools that are affiliated with the Institute are Deakin College Australia, Griffith College Australia, Bradford College UK, Syracuse University USA & NYU Tisch Singapore.
More than 15% of the student body comprises International students. The Institute is highly committed to ensuring that its students move into the industry in creative and rewarding areas of employment. WWI alumni have been working with several leading media organizations like Aamir Khan Productions, Anil Kapoor Productions, BIG Animation, Balaji Telefilms, Dharma Productions, Excel Entertainment, Fox Star Studios India, Mukta Arts Limited, Paprikaas, Red Chillies Entertainment, Reliance BIG Entertainment, UTV Motion Pictures, Walkwater Films and several more. Whistling Woods’ continues strongly on its path to be the institute of choice for media education globally. 
Details are available on www.whistlingwoods.net 
About Neeta Lulla
Neeta Lulla is an Indian fashion stylist and costume designer. She is the winner of four National Film Awards for Best Costume Design and numerous other Indian and international accolades for excellence in the field of fashion designing and styling. Over the last 28 years, she has worked on some of the finest Indian Films and the biggest stars in India Cinema.

A.R Rahman pays tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan in Raanjhanaa

Using the “shenai” for which music maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan was renowned for , Oscar winner A.R Rahman pays homage to the Bharat Ratna awarded musician, through the songs of  Raanjhanaa produced by Eros International and directed by Aanand L Rai.

Since the film starring Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor is based in the heartland of Benaras , the music composer looked no further that his inspiration- shenai player Ustad Bismillah Khan who hailed from Benaras .Rahman who has previously worked with Ustad Khan on a south film a few years ago ,will now make use of the shenai in all of the film’s songs, reminiscent of the maestro’s music.

Confirming the news says directed Aanand L Rai, “When Rahman sir heard the script intrinsic of Benaras flavour ,thoughts of Ustad Bismillah Khan immediately came to his mind and it was then that he suggested using elements of the "shenai" in all songs of Raanjhanaa in honor of the music maestro...the songs in the film are an unsaid tribute to Ustad Bismillah Khan and Beneras...Rahman sir holds Bismillah Khan in high regard and has even met his family since he has great respect for his music".

Adds producer Krishika Lulla, " There are several shenai elements in the songs of Raanjhanaa and they have come out beautifully...you can only expect the best from Rahman".

With music composed by A.R Rahman , Eros International’s Raanjhanaa directed by Aanand L Rai, starring Dhanush , Sonam Kapoor and Abhay Deol is scheduled to release 21st June 2013. 

Farah Khan judges the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Dance Competition despite being ill

Bollywood’s most celebrated choreographer and director Farah Khan took time out from her busy schedule recently to judge the official Bollywood Dance Competition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Held at the Federation Square in Melbourne,the competition took place while the temperature hit -1 degree Celsius ,however Farah despite being down with a viral fever, fought the chill and played host to the T, enthralling audiences as the evening saw Bollywood music at its most vibrant .

If that wasn't all, Farah Khan made the very excited crowds at Federation Square do the step of the week!

Says Farah Khan, ““It was freezing and was very windy. Even our papers were flying off. However, the atmosphere there was so energetic and the crowd was so responsive that soon we forgot about the weather and the cold. Watching so many Australians performing to Bollywood numbers was heartening. This is really what the world loves about our films”.

Aditi Rao Hydari to plant a tree in memory of her pet

Aditi Rao Hydari recently visited the beautiful hills of Ranikhet to bury the ashes of her dog Frodo. The six-year old boxer recently died of a heart-attack leaving the actress heartbroken given that the pet was a huge part of her family.

Says Aditi Rao Hydari “I don’t know what to say... Frodo was the most adorable loving boxer with the cutest face. He was only six and very healthy. He died suddenly of a heart attack. I am heartbroken. Pets are like family. I have buried his ashes and will plant a tree for him. I know he will always be with me, and he knows that I will love him forever,”

Shekhar Kapur and Ashutosh Gowariker working together for Buddha Tv Serial

Spice Studio's mega project Buddha which was to be made into a film is now being produced as a mega tele serial.
It is one of the most ambitious Indian projects which had Shekhar Kapur and Ashutosh Gowariker working on the research and script development
It will be aired on Zee tv having around 50 episodes.
The series will be a bio pic of one of the greatest Indian personalities ever, Buddha. It is based on the historical facts and will tell the story of prince Siddharth and his dramatic transition into Buddha.
Buddha will be produced at a mega scale involving authentic recreation of the period details. Each episode has been planned as a one hour film.
" Spice Studios is committed to make Buddha. We know that its not easy to make something of this significance and scale. Now we have the benefit of years of research on the subject. We realized that the scope of television today is larger than films and we wanted Buddha to reach out to the largest number of people possible. Only tv can give us that reach. Big names have contributed to this project and finally we are able to make it happen. " Says BK Modi