As Whistling Woods International celebrates 20 years of nurturing storytellers and creative talent, President Meghna Ghai Puri took to Instagram to share a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to her father, filmmaker and educationist Subhash Ghai, whose vision laid the foundation for one of India’s leading film, media and creative arts institutes.
Reflecting on the journey from the inauguration of the institute’s very first batch to its remarkable milestone today, Meghna acknowledged the courage, conviction and foresight that transformed a dream into a legacy spanning generations of filmmakers, artists and creative professionals.
Sharing an emotional note on Instagram, Meghna Ghai Puri wrote, “Today, on the day we inaugurated @whistling_woods with our first batch of students 20 years ago, my heart is filled with gratitude. Gratitude to one man who dared to dream and see that dream through. Some dreams don’t just build institutions—they build generations. Thank you, Papa, for having the courage when few believed it was possible, and for believing in all of us even before we believed in ourselves. Your vision gave thousands of students not just an education, but a place to belong, to discover their voice, and to chase their dreams. Twenty years on, your legacy continues to inspire us to dream bigger and create a future worthy of that vision.”
Subhash Ghai said, “Whistling Woods International began as a dream to create a home for creative minds. Looking back at these 20 years fills me with immense gratitude and pride. Seeing thousands of our students carrying that dream forward is the greatest reward. Meghna’s words have touched my heart, and I believe the best is yet to come.”
Founded by Subhash Ghai in 2006, Whistling Woods International has become one of Asia’s premier institutes for film, communication and creative arts, with thousands of alumni making their mark across cinema, television, digital media, animation, design, music and emerging technologies. As the institution completes two decades, Meghna’s tribute stands as a celebration not only of an educational milestone but also of a vision that continues to inspire generations of storytellers.
