Celebrating Cinema 2025: A Memorable Event at Whistling Woods International
On October 10, the final day of the Celebrate Cinema 2025 festival, Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, delivered an inspiring talk about the soft power of cinema at Subhash Ghai’s prestigious filmmaking school, Whistling Woods International. The event was attended by notable personalities including filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, actor Kartik Aaryan, and others.
The atmosphere in the auditorium was electric as Gautam Adani highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on filmmaking. In a lighthearted moment, Kartik Aaryan humorously shared his fears about AI, stating, “Sir, I’m actually quite scared of AI! After your speech, it felt like students will be told, ‘That’s it! AI has taken over!’” However, he quickly shifted to a serious note, praising Adani’s words and expressing how unexpectedly moved he was by the speech.
A charming exchange unfolded when Subhash Ghai reminded Kartik to give a shoutout to his school. Kartik enthusiastically affirmed, “Yes, sir, I’m talking about Whistling Woods International! It’s the best school!”
Subhash Ghai fondly reminisced about working with Kartik, mentioning that he was once his assistant director and affectionately called him his hero from the film Kaanchi.
Rajkumar Hirani also praised Adani’s impactful speech, saying it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime moment that made him wish he had written such a powerful address. He stressed that cinema’s soft power is essential, emphasizing that it touches hearts in ways that political or muscular power cannot.
Hirani recounted a memorable experience in South Korea, where a fan recognized him because of the film 3 Idiots, highlighting the universal connection cinema can create.
The event concluded with applause as Rajkumar shared insights about AI, lifting the mood by assuring the audience that technology can enhance creativity rather than replace it.
Adding a light-hearted moment, actor Jackie Shroff brought humor to the stage by interacting with students, creating joyful memories for everyone present.
