GB Fashion Police Verdict : @ Shahrukh: Its time to lose any look when your directors double your age start dressing like you. Posted in (less)

GB Fashion Police Verdict : @ Shahrukh: Its time to lose any look when your directors double your age start dressing like you. Posted in (less)

"I truly feel that the spirit must not die and the show must go on," Ghai told IANS in an interview. He has continued to encourage students at his institute to work on a programme around 100 years of Indian cinema.

It will be held June 1-2, and he is expecting the support of several celebrities. "Our students have taken complete charge for a programme of 100 years of Indian cinema.

We don't want to demoralise or discourage our students. "No matter in what situation we are, we shall emerge out of it.

We can work under fire, the spirit should not die. God will help us.

There will be various activities that will take place on June 1, 2 and 3. Lots of celebrities, directors and actors like Salman Khan will come and join us," he added.

Ghai, who had set up his film institute in Film City, Goregaon in Mumbai in 2006, says he had not in his worst dreams imagined being in the situation that he is in now. "Even in my worst dream I could have never imagined anything like this; neither would the government have imagined that this would happen," said the 67-year-old, credited for films like Kalicharan, Karz, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal.

In April, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Mukta Arts Ltd , owned by Ghai, challenging a Bombay High Court ruling cancelling the allotment of 20 acres of prime land in Goregaon east for the state-of-the-art world-class film academy. Ghai, according to lawyers, will have to immediately return 14.

5 acres of land, but can continue to hold 5.5 acres on which the institute stands till the last batch passes out in 2014.

He recently sent the authorities another petition asking them to reconsider his case. "We have been asked to pay Rs.

79 crore, which is impossible for us. I have immense faith in the judiciary of our country.

I hope some kind of consideration will be taken from the victim's point of view. "I've not done any crime, not misused anything, not used one inch of the place for anything else.

God's blessings are with me," he said. Ghai feels lucky that the film fraternity is supporting him in his hard days.

"The industry is with me, the entire association is with me. We all strongly feel Whistling Woods International is the best thing that has happened for the 100 years of Indian cinema.

We have the world's support, but we want that the government and court should be kind to us," Ghai said (less)

5 acres that are currently vacant will be handed back immediately to the government, the balance 5.5 acres that are in use are to be given back in 2014 so that students currently enrolled can complete their courses.

"I am grateful that they did not decide to shut it now and let the 400 students complete their education," says Ghai. He continues, "I am pained and hurt.

People are not willing to share my vision to have a better tomorrow and help the next generation of filmmakers. Hundreds of newcomers would come to me saying that they don't have a godfather and I wondered how many films I can make in my career.

Hence I decided to establish this institute." Commenting on the judiciary's view that Ghai has been given preference and benefit over other 'great' and 'talented' filmmakers, and that the filmmaker should participate in a bidding process for the land, Ghai asserts, "Why are they calling me the blue-eyed boy of Vilas Rao Deshmukh , I have my own entity as a filmmaker, I am a senior member of the fraternity.

Had I wanted to take advantage, I would have asked land for multiplexes, I wouldn't have taken the risk of starting a film school. I am paying Rs five crore every year to run the school, and suddenly these orders.

..

" He continues, "Today one can claim that other filmmakers can also start an institute but in 1999 no filmmaker had the capacity or was interested in opening a film institute. Yash Chopra and Vijay Anand had come for the inauguration and they said that I had achieved what nobody in the industry could.

I travelled 22 countries in the world to pick up their curriculum and syllabus..

. I did research and translated it into Hindi syllabus for our students.

" As for now, the showman has decided to take the next step after discussing with the board of directors and their team of lawyers. "Supreme Court has dismissed our appeal and have asked us to settle with the High Court.

So we go back to the High Court. We are not interested in 20 acres of land, we want to save the institute as we have already invested Rs 75 crore in it," says Ghai, who has plans of opening film institutes in other States like Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Gujarat (less)

14.5 acres that are currently vacant will be handed back immediately to the government, the balance 5.

5 acres that are in use are to be given back in 2014 so that students currently enrolled can complete their courses. The High Court had also ordered Mr Ghai to pay 5 crores in rent per year since 2000.

Afte the judgement, Subhash Ghai told the press, "I respect the judiciary of my country. Supreme Court dismissed our appeal on the grounds that Maharashtra government should have followed the proper governance to enter into a joint venture to run a film school in film city.

People also must take precautions before dealing with state government than being penalized after ten years with heavy investment and losses. Anyhow Whistling Woods will survive as bright as ever though we may miss the land.

Land is never a strength of education rather education is the strength of any land. We are opening Whistling Woods in many states as now and also carry on movie business in full strength.

We will discuss future course of action with our team of lawyers and wait for government reaction on Supreme Court judgement (less)

In a conference room, surrounded by his loyal team of teachers, students and marketing whiz kids, Ghai, is a far cry from the confident, ebullient filmmaker who always popped into his films wearing his signature hat. But seconds into the conversation, he makes it clear that he is not giving up, or giving in.

The veteran filmmaker, who has been credited with creating some of the biggest stars and films of a certain era, believes he has been made a "scapegoat," in this case of a new government trying to discredit the previous one. But ask him how can an institute of this nature and stature survive without political patronage, and he explodes.

"I have never sought political patronage. I have had requests from the government since the 90s to build an institute.

Several CMs had approached me. But I was busy with some of my biggest films and did not have the money to invest," he clarifies.

According to Ghai, it only was after he began considering an eightacre plot in Panvel that he received a call from the then Managing Director of Film City, Govind Swarup, requesting him to get into the now-contentious joint venture. Ghai's daughter Meghna regrets that they had not read the warning signs: "Anyone who reads the agreement today will say we were fools.

You build an institute with your money, on a land that does not belong to you, what happens when the government wants the land back?" Ghai feels that he is being unfairly punished. "We spent three years in research, Rs 20 crore to build this place, and incur high operational costs with cumulative losses amounting to Rs 40 crore.

I made three or four films in 10 years to feed this institute in the hope that it will soon find its feet. I have spent 10 years of my life for these students.

We want me to give it all up and walk away?" he roars. Faculty member, scriptwriter Anjum Rajabali, adds that the timing of the verdict is rather unfortunate.

"For any such film academy there is a gestation period. We had just about reached the stage when the fraternity was recognising us as a pool of talent.

If we have to walk away from this land, we will only have that credibility to bank on." Ghai insists that for Whistling Woods, it is only the postal address that may change after 2014.

"I have several offers from private and corporate entities. But until then, life goes on as usual.

" Whistling Woods will begin its next session in July for the two-year courses which will be completed on time at this campus. For the threeyear animation courses, alternative arrangements are being made.

But a lot could happen before that, we are told. A meeting of the advisory board today will decide the immediate course of action.

Meanwhile, filmmakers and producers, as a show of support have already written o the CM, emphasising on the significance of the institute for the fraternity. Whatever he does, Ghai swears he is not going to deal with the government again.

"One day you embrace us, treat us like Gods, next day you treat us like dogs," he shrugs, joins his hands and with sarcasm and hurt dripping from every word, adds, "I love my India. Namashkar government.

" (less)

Apex Court's verdict which asked the filmmaker to return the land and pay the rent for the last 12 years hasn't gone down well with the industry which considers it unfair as Whistling Woods is probably the only film institute in the country with world class facilities. To take the matter ahead, the film industry will question the government's unjust treatment towards institutions like Whistling Woods in front of the media.

The press conference will be held on Wednesday, April 11th for the same revealed Subhash Ghai who is hurt by the decision but promises his institute will survive, with or without the controversial land. Subhash Ghai informed TOI.

com on Monday April 9th, "Film Industry will meet the media on Wednesday, April 11th to speak on 'Has the government given justice to institutions like Whistling Woods'? There will be a media conference for the same." Various filmmakers and noted actors have supported Ghai.

Filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor said, "What's happening with Whistling Woods is unfair. The government can't just wake up one day and displace so many lives, livelihoods and dreams!" Shekhar kapoor voiced, "Subhash Ghai gave 15 years of his time and energy to create a centre of learning for film.

Whistling Woods is not a scam, he should be applauded. It is not possible to build educational institutions at current land prices in any city, government has to allocate land for this.

Tisch film school ( Tisch School of the Arts ) in Singapore is built on land given free by Govt. Now Singapore directors are making grade internationally" Shyam Benegal said, "I am deeply saddened by the verdict of the High Court in the case of Whistling Woods film school.

Subhash Ghai had taken upon himself as a mission to create a world class film school. He worked tirelessly for 13 years to fulfill this dream and finally succeeded in making it happen.

Mumbai could now pride itself on having a film school as good as any in the world. And suddenly this.

Strange!" Shabana Azmi said, "I am saddened by court order against Whistling Woods. Subhash Ghai has spared no costs in trying to make it world class we need such institutes.

" Meanwhile, there's nothing stopping Whistling Woods. Ghai is not deterred by the court's verdict; he is on a lookout for a new location for his film institute (less)

Shatrughan Sinha , an actor known for his villainous roles was making his first mark as a hero. The leading lady, Reena Roy , with just two hits to her name thus far, had finally landed a plum role.

Yet, the 1975 film Kalicharan went on to become a blockbuster. Reena and Shatrughan suddenly became the most sought after lead jodi.

And Subhash Ghai became the showman. Captured by ace lensman Jagdish Aurangabadkar, this picture, on the sets of the film produced by Nari Sippy, shows the young Ghai (on the left wearing sunglasses, and totally unrecognisable) explaining a romantic scene to his lead actors Shatrughan and Reena.

Perhaps it was in the explaining or just the actors' reported off screen chemistry that landed the two in each others' arms even before the director could say 'action'. The film Kalicharansparked off reports of a blossoming romance between Shatrughan and Reena Roy.

The torrid affair between the much-married actor and his Kalicharan co-tar was one of the most talked about romances in the 1970s. The romance soon died out with Reena tying the knot with Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan .

But the love saga got etched into the history of Hindi cinema industry. Like the lead jodi's love story, the film Kalicharanalso kickstarted the filmmaking career of Subhash Ghai.

The young man had come to Bombay to become an actor. But after a series of failed attempts tried his hands at filmmaking.

With his rather special appearances in his directorial ventures, he satisfied his acting bug and soon came to be known as the showman of Bollywood. Kalicharan, the film was not just about the undercover cop, it was about the three main people, whose lives changed forever after this (less)

What has remained, are the chiffon sarees, the rain dances and the romantic medleys. Pure romance is now redefined as romcoms and the complexities of relationship and emotions are packaged in a slapstick humour style.

Does Gen-X lack the depth of understanding such romances (as Mughal-E-Azam, Silsila, DDLJ) or are the filmmakers just playing it safe? This week, Bollywood Big Story debates Does Bollywood Hate Love Stories? Tune in this Sat, 18th Feb at 12:30pm only on zoOm - India's No.1 Bollywood channel.

Genelia D'Souza Audiences come to the theater for a good laugh and a fun time, leaving their stresses behind. Maybe that's the reason why filmmakers don't want to burden them with heavy emotions and hardcore romantic films.

Vipul Shah Cinema is a reflection of the society. Audience might feel that the intense love stories of the 50s and 60s are outdated today.

Youngsters will say aisa kaun karta hai aaj kal? This generation doesn't commit as 'intensely' as people used to. Subhash Ghai Short-term relationships are an urban trend.

This Facebook, Twitter generation is losing sensitivity. For them, relationships are all about 'fun'.

Imtiaz Ali Passion and romance will remain the same, the depiction might change (less)

Because I don't know when the directors and producers are ready to make an announcement. But there are three films whose script I have okayed.

I am meeting two more directors, I am okaying those scripts as well," Manisha told reporters in Mumbai. "This year I will be working (on these films).

..

so next year would be a kind of comeback," she said. The 42-year-old Nepali-Indian actress made her acting debut in Bollywood with Subhash Ghai's 'Saudagar' (1991), which was a huge hit.

After years of success, she was later seen in several low-budget films like 'Paisa Vasool' (2004), 'Sirf' (2008) and a few others, which were box office dud. Recently, it was reported that Madhur Bhandarkar's much-awaited film 'Heroine' is inspired by Manisha's life.

Bhandarkar has, however, denied such reports. When asked Manisha about the same, she said, "I hope he knows me well to make a movie on me.

" Manisha was here to see filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's blockbuster 'Parinda' (1989). "He is one of the finest directors we have today.

I was fortunate to work with him in '1942: A love Story'," the award-winning actress said (less)