Latest news with #WhistlingWoodsInternational
Pink Villa
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Meet Rahul Mody, Shraddha Kapoor's rumored beau who wrote films like Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Pyaar Ka Punchnama and more
Shraddha Kapoor has been making headlines for her relationship with rumored boyfriend Rahul Mody. The actress had earlier made their affair Instagram official with a mushy post that first hinted at the duo being together. Since then, she has kept teasing his presence in her posts. Now, fans are quite intrigued to learn more about Shraddha's boyfriend. So we have got all the information you would like to read about him; keep scrolling further. Rahul Mody's education and early interest in filmmaking Rahul Mody was born on October 7, 1990, into a businessman's family. His dad, Amod Mody, runs a metal fabrication business. After completing his school, Shraddha Kapoor's rumored boyfriend pursued a Diploma in Engineering and had planned to follow in his father's footsteps and become a businessman just like him. However, this dream changed after he secretly began visiting Mumbai's Film City under the guise of dropping his sister off at school. Once, he visited the sets of Irrfan Khan starrer Billu Barber and saw the filming of the song Marjani ft. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. This moment ignited his passion for filmmaking. His shift from Engineering to Bollywood His early experiences made him a big fan of the entire filmmaking process, and eventually led him to enroll at Whistling Woods International. He pursued film studies there and eventually dropped out in his second year. His first internship on a film set In 2011, Rahul Mody landed an internship on the set of Pyaar Ka Punchnama, starring Kartik Aaryan and others. This marked his entry into the industry and the beginning of his association with Luv Ranjan. He gained hands-on experience in production, scripting, and direction. Rahul Mody's career as a writer In 2015, he marked his debut as a co-writer alongside Luv Ranjan for Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2. He also worked as an associate director in this film. In 2018, he wrote Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, which was a massive commercial success. In 2023, he co-wrote Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. This film was special also because it is where he met his rumored girlfriend, Shraddha Kapoor. Rahul Mody and Shraddha Kapoor's relationship The two lovebirds reportedly met and grew close while working together on Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Their relationship became the talk of the town when Shraddha and Rahul attended Anant Ambani's pre-wedding festivities together in early 2024. After this, there are a couple of Instagram posts featuring the actresses that subtly either include Rahul or mention him, or we catch a glimpse of him in the background. Whatever it is, we bet fans love these two and cannot wait for them to take the next plunge in their relationship.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Fire erupts on sets of TV serial Anupamaa
Mumbai: A fire broke out on the sets of TV serial Anupamaa on Film City Road, Goregaon West, at around 6 am on Monday. According to fire brigade officials, the fire was confined to electric installations, iron materials, decorative material, cameras, costumes, lighting systems, and studio equipment, among others, in a 5,000 square feet area of the set near Whistling Woods International, Film City Complex. The fire was extinguished at 10.15 am, and no injuries were reported. According to the production house, no unit members were present, and only security personnel and set staff were on site. The production house also stated that no animals were harmed, and proper care was taken for their safety. The exact cause of the fire is still being determined.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Vivek Soni on Aap Jaisa Koi: ‘Any story told through the personal lens will touch people's heart'
Exuding old-school charm, the upcoming 'Aap Jaisa Koi' is a modern love story in which 'a buttoned-up older man falls for a feisty young woman'. Directed by Vivek Soni, it follows the story of Shrirenu (R Madhavan), a reserved Sanskrit teacher, and Madhu (Fatima Sana Shaikh), a spirited French instructor as they navigate layered family ties. The film produced by Dharmatic Entertainment will premiere on Netflix on July 11. Soni, who has earlier helmed 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' (2021), featuring Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dassani, and is set to direct Ananya Panday's 'Chand Mera Dil', talks about directing R Madhavan and his creative process. Excerpts: Tell us about your journey from making social drama 'Bawdi' (2012) to directing a rom-com feature. I made 'Bawdi', a short film, as part of my film direction course from Whistling Woods International. I co-wrote 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' with my friend Aarsh Vora. We developed it with Dharma and later Netflix came on board. In the case of 'Aap Jaisa Koi', Netflix approached Dharma with the story that's written by Radhika Anand and Jehan Handa. When they shared it with me, it was a 10-page-long story; I loved it. Both my feature films are love stories at heart and speak about different aspects of life. R Madhavan returns as a romantic hero after a gap. How did he come on board? After we finished writing the screenplay, we approached him and he liked the story. He is an actor who balances warmth and nuance in his performance. He also fits into the age bracket of the character — above 40. Have you done the de-aging for him? No. He just shaved his beard. Did you do any workshops for Madhavan and Fatima? We did readings together. I follow the process of meeting the actors individually first, going through the script, scenes and character graph. I did that separately with Maddy Sir and Fatima. Then we sat together and went over the script and details. It might come across as a cliché but the entire 36-day shoot with them was memorable. Your films 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar' and 'Love Storiyaan's Love on Air' (2024) episode, as well as 'Aap Jaisa Koi' are set in different parts of the country. The location is one of the most crucial aspects of the story. Before starting any project, I take into account the kind of landscape I am getting to explore through the story. This determines the costumes, sounds and visuals. With 'Meenakshi Sundareshwar', I explored Tamil Nadu. When I did 'Love Storiyaan', I got a chance to shoot in Meghalaya. For 'Aap Jaisa Koi', I wanted to explore Kolkata. Do you think romance as a genre lacks freshness today? There are good romantic stories told in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. When people go to a theatre, they want a spectacle. It is also about what's being consumed. However, I believe any story that's told through a personal lens is going to touch people's hearts. What are the things on top of your mind while you are writing or developing a project? One thumb rule is to give it a personal touch. For example, if it's the scene of a man proposing to a woman, the act should not come across as generic. Their individuality should reflect in that scene. From growing up in Rajasthan to making films in Mumbai, how did you make that journey? I'm from Rajasthan's Bhilwara. After I finished my schooling there, I lived in Kota to prepare for engineering. From 2004 to 2008, I studied at Hyderabad's ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education. After that I moved to Mumbai and worked in advertising. Later, I joined Whistling Woods International to study direction for two years. Are you inspired by any particular filmmakers? Since my childhood I have been a movie-buff. While preparing for this film, I revisited the works of filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray, Rituparno Ghosh, Aki Kaurismäki, Wes Anderson, Billy Wilder, Wong Kar-wai and Paul Thomas Anderson. It was an intuitive decision.
New Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Samarth Kadkol: I hope Edagaiye Apaghatakke Karana will be the next Lucia
Directing a film about left-handers might not be the most obvious way to make a cinematic debut. But for Samarth Kadkol, nothing about the journey of Edagaiye Apaghatakke Karana (EAK) — a black comedy suspense thriller — was typical. His path to the director's chair was filled with unplanned turns, quiet revolutions, and a passion for often overlooked stories. Just like the left-handers his film champions. 'I didn't start out wanting to make movies,' Samarth admits, and adds, 'A short film I made on physical disability — honestly, it was done by fluke — ended up moving one of my professors to tears. That's when I realised what cinema could do. That was the spark.' That accidental magic became the matchstick for a fire that never dimmed. From making award-winning mobile phone films to being recognised by Google, Samarth's early days were scrappy and raw, but curious. But a car accident changed everything. While recovering in Mumbai, he decided to apply to Whistling Woods International. There, he found not just formal training but a deeper purpose. He worked on socially rooted campaigns and amplifying gender narratives, including a short film that caught the attention of Bollywood insiders.
India Gazette
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Javed Akhtar receives Dostoevsky Award for influence on cultural heritage, literary dialogue
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 6 (ANI): Lyricist Javed Akhtar was honoured with the prestigious Dostoevsky Star Award for his remarkable influence on cultural heritage and literary dialogue on Friday. Taking to her Instagram handle, Shabana Azmi, wife of Javed Akhtar, shared the snaps from the award ceremony, featuring the renowned lyricist accepting the award from the dignitaries from the Russian House. While sharing the photos, the actress wrote, 'Another big honour for Javed Akhtar as he receives the Dostoevsky Star Award! This year, the Russian House is deeply honoured to present the Dostoevsky Star Award to the renowned poet, lyricist, and public intellectual Mr. Javed Akhtar, to recognise his remarkable influence on cultural dialogue and literary heritage.' Javed Akhtar, considered the legendary screenwriter for the Indian cinema industry, has won numerous awards during his decades-long career. These include the National Award for Best Lyrics, the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1999, and the Padma Bhushan in 2007. Earlier this year, Javed Akhtar was conferred the Lifetime Achievement award at the convocation ceremony of Whistling Woods International, a renowned film institute. The Whistling Woods International was founded by director Subhash Ghai in 2006. After receiving the awards, Javed Akhtar and Pankaj Kapur imparted some words of wisdom to the students who attended the ceremony. Akhtar , who is known for writing the screenplays of blockbuster films like Zanjeer and Sholay, talked about the importance of self-esteem in achieving excellence in life in his gratitude speech. He said, 'The only reason that can make you excellent is your self-esteem. Maybe the world doesn't have to be, and maybe your friends are saying that you are very rude, but I know that I can be better, and it has to be better because I am doing it. If you have high self-esteem then you can reach excellence. Self-esteem demands only yourself and nothing else.' Javed Akhtar has written the screenplay for superhit movies like 'Sholay', 'Deewar', 'Zanjeer' and others. (ANI)
