Cutting Chai with Bhawana Somaaya - Day 362

Coffee with Culture

5/6/2014

Whistling Wood has a knack of doing things different. First they launched an International’s cultural hub for those interested in movies, music and entertainment in Bandra and now in less than a year they are ready to launch another spacious destination in Andheri that will attract culture lovers. 

Lit up in fairy lights to launch the book release of Not Just Bollywood – Indian Director’s Speak host Subhash Ghai and author Tula Goenka were in high spirits. Goenka’s book features 28 directors from across the country that includes Shyam Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Rituparno Ghosh, Onir, Rakesh Roshan, Yash Chopra and Mira Nair amongst others. The book captures not just the personal journeys of these filmmakers but presents how cinema has evolved in India.

The evening was alive with a mesmerizing jazz performance by Dee Wood and Azeem Banatwala’s brilliant comic timing had everyone in splits. Meghana Ghai, President of Whistling Woods told me that they intend to use the venue for diverse talent like book launches, play readings, film screenings and stand-up comics act in the night. The Film Club will be a space for exchange of art and culture ideas be it cinema or other performing.

Bhawana Somaaya/ Tweets @bhawnasomaaya