Subhash Ghai on Taal “Americans Asked Why Six Songs — I Said, We Understand Through Music, Not Lectures”

MUMBAI: Whistling Woods International (WWI), the premier institute for film, communication, and creative arts, today commenced a momentous three-day celebration, commemorating the centenary years of two titans of Indian cinema: Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt. The festival, conceptualized by founder and chairman Subhash Ghai, began with a packed inaugural evening at one of the Whistling Woods Auditorium, setting the stage for a deep dive into the legacy of these legendary filmmakers.

The theme for the opening day was "Poetry and Music in Indian Cinema," a fitting tribute given the immortal songs and profound lyrical narratives that defined the works of both Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt.

The inaugural evening was graced by the living legend, Gulzar sahab, who mesmerized the audience with his profound insights into the art of filmmaking and lyricism. The evening also featured insightful words from celebrated lyricist Kausar Munir, known for her contemporary and evocative poetry in film music, who spoke on the enduring power of lyrics to carry a film's narrative forward.

Subhash Ghai Founder & Chairman, Whistling Woods International spoke about Taal and said "I have learnt that music is an integral part of cinema. When I went to Mexico for a film screening with my film Taal the Americans asked me why do Indian films have 6 songs even if the  film's subject is depressed? I told them we understand real thought through songs and not through lectures. Our scriptures are also written in poetry forms. And that is why the philosophy of our storytelling comes through songs and lyrics."

Reflecting on the first meeting with Subhash Ghai Gulzar said "I remember the first film I was making and there was a small role in it and I told about it to Subhash but he instead said to pass it on to Asrani. Since then he has only shared and grown. We kept on searching for filmmakers but he is the maker of even filmmakers."

The three-day festival will continue with two major events tomorrow, October 9th, 2025, with two major events: a tribute featuring veteran actress Waheeda Rehman and members of the Kapoor family in the morning, followed by the "Saiyaara Evening" in the afternoon.

Celebrate Cinema 2025 is Whistling Woods International's flagship festival, it is an annual festival celebrating the world of media & entertainment.