Mumbai Film City Visit Inspires Creative Leap
SYED BASHARAT
MUMBAI, Oct 8: As the sun dipped behind the lush green hills of Goregaon’s Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri — famously known as Mumbai Film City — the visiting PIB J&K Media Delegation found itself immersed in India’s vibrant cinematic universe. On the third day of the PIB J&K Media Tour to Mumbai, the journalists from Jammu and Kashmir got a firsthand experience of the bustling film sets, cutting-edge studios, and the inspiring creative energy that defines India’s film capital.
The visit, facilitated by officials of the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation Limited and coordinated by PIB Mumbai, aimed to expose media professionals to the evolving trends in filmmaking — from traditional storytelling to the digital revolution powered by Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), gaming, and virtual production technologies.
Inside the sprawling 520-acre Film City, the delegation explored multiple shooting floors, open-air sets, and technologically advanced production hubs. The team also interacted with technicians, directors, and students honing their craft within this creative ecosystem.
A highlight of the visit was a stopover at Whistling Woods International Institute, founded by noted filmmaker Subhash Ghai, where the delegation witnessed the intersection of art, storytelling, and technology. The institute, nestled in the heart of Film City, is home to India’s next generation of filmmakers, animators, and digital content creators.
Among the many young faces the delegation met, Hamzah Nazki, a student of BBA in Media Studies, stood out with his passion and pride. A native of Kashmir, Hamzah spoke warmly about his experience studying in an institution surrounded by India’s cinematic heartbeat.
“Whistling Woods feels like home — not just because of its welcoming environment, but because it fuels creativity in every student,” Hamzah said with a bright smile. “Coming from Kashmir, I’ve seen so many talented young people restrict their dreams to conventional professions like medicine or engineering. But I want to tell them — the creative industries have endless potential. If you are passionate about storytelling, gaming, filmmaking, or digital media, the sky is truly the limit.”
Hamzah, who has already worked on student short films and virtual production projects, added that Kashmiri youth possess immense creative energy and a unique visual sense shaped by the Valley’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
“Our landscape, our stories, and our people are full of artistic inspiration,” he said. “We just need to step forward, learn new skills, and bring our narratives to global platforms.”
During the tour of Whistling Woods, the delegation was introduced to state-of-the-art editing suites, VFX labs, and immersive production environments. Senior officials demonstrated how the latest virtual production technologies have minimized the need for elaborate outdoor sets while expanding the scope of creative expression.
Mr. Bhushan, who oversees the admission process at Whistling Woods International, encouraged more students from Jammu and Kashmir to explore film and digital media studies.
“We are always excited to welcome students from diverse regions, especially from Jammu and Kashmir, which has such rich cultural depth,” he said. “There’s an enormous global demand for skilled professionals in film, animation, gaming, and media strategy. Institutions like ours provide not just education but exposure — exposure to a global creative community that thrives on innovation.”
Reflecting on the visit, Ms. Neha Jalali, Director, PIB Jammu, said that the experience was an eye-opener for the entire delegation.
“The Film City visit provided an invaluable opportunity for our media colleagues from Jammu and Kashmir to understand the evolution of Indian cinema, the new technologies shaping the industry, and the immense creative possibilities that lie within visual storytelling,” she noted. “Such exposure deepens their perspective on how media, culture, and technology intersect to influence contemporary narratives.”
Ms. Sriyanka Chatterjee, Media and Communication Officer, PIB Mumbai, also accompanied the group during the visit.
The five-day PIB J&K Media Tour to Mumbai aims to provide experiential learning for journalists from the Union Territory through visits to national institutions and cultural centers. This initiative not only strengthens professional linkages but also inspires participants to encourage Kashmir’s youth to look beyond traditional career paths.
As Hamzah Nazki summed it up poignantly, “Creativity has no boundaries. For Kashmiri youth, it’s time to move beyond fear and convention — and step into the world of imagination, innovation, and infinite opportunity.”
