For the legendary filmmaker, the Showman of Bollywood, Subhash Ghai, the journey of an artist does not end with training, it begins there. As the Marathi film, Gondhal, earns the distinction of being selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars, Subhash Ghai is celebrating a moment that is also deeply personal to his vision for Whistling Woods International.
Ishita Deshmukh, the film’s lead actor and an alumnus of the Whistling Woods Actor Studio, has now found herself at the centre of an international cinematic journey, marking another milestone for the institute and its commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
Taking to Instagram, Subhash Ghai expressed his pride in Ishita’s achievement while congratulating the entire Gondhal team. He wrote, “Oscar matters. Today Whistling Woods International is proud of our Ishita Deshmukh, an alumnus from Whistling Woods Actor Studio, for her Marathi film Gondhal, which has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscar Awards.”
For Subhash Ghai, Ishita’s achievement is particularly significant as it reflects the journey of talent that Whistling Woods International has sought to nurture, providing aspiring artists with an environment where their craft can evolve and translate into meaningful opportunities in the industry.
His message also recognised the creative force behind Gondhal, as he extended his “special congratulations” to writer-director Santosh Davakhar and praised Ishita for her “outstanding performance” in the film. Subhash Ghai also recalled Ishita’s earlier work, highlighting her lead role in Jaanaki, a Doordarshan television drama produced by Mukta Arts Films, where she featured across 208 episodes.
Her journey was further recognised earlier this year when she won the Best Debut award at the Filmfare Awards. Ishita’s progression from a Whistling Woods Actor Studio alumnus to the lead of a film representing India at the Oscars underscores the larger philosophy that has driven Subhash Ghai’s work in film education, identifying promising talent, nurturing it through professional training and creating a pathway for the next generation of Indian cinema.
As Gondhal takes its next step on the global stage, Subhash Ghai has extended his blessings to Ishita and the entire team, writing, “We cheer and bless the team of Gondhal and Ishita.”
