This story is from July 21, 2014

Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan appeal to save Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods

With just 10 days to go before the curtains fall... Bollywood heavyweights like Karan Johar and Hrithik Roshan appeal to the chief minister to save the institute, which has been ordered by the high court to return the 20-acre plot to the government by July 31
Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan appeal to save Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods
With just 10 days to go before the curtains fall... Bollywood heavyweights like Karan Johar and Hrithik Roshan appeal to the chief minister to save the institute, which has been ordered by the high court to return the 20-acre plot to the government by July 31.
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With just 10 days to go for Whistling Woods International film school to vacate its sprawling premises in Film City, the likes of Karan Johar and Hrithik Roshan have started a last-ditch campaign to urge the chief minister to intervene and save the institute.
Buoyed by the support, institute head Subhash Ghai has sought an appointment with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, while keeping up the legal battle to retain the space.
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The Bombay High Court had in February 2012 ordered Ghai to vacate the plot following a public interest litigation that contended “gross abuse of power" by then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in allotting 20 acres in Film City to Ghai's firm. The HC asked Whistling Woods to hand over the 14.5 acres of empty land to the government immediately and gave the institute till July 31, 2014 to vacate the 5.5 acres on which the institute stands.

Ghai challenged the HC order in Supreme Court, which in April dismissed his plea. On July 31, Whistling Woods’ tenure comes to an end and government has drawn elaborate plans to take over the space and put it out in the market again.
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There are also plans to start a cultural university by the government.
While Ghai has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court and moved the HC seeking relief till the apex court hears his plea, the industry on Sunday decided to seek the chief minister’s intervention.
As things stand, the HC has also restrained the institute from granting admissions to students for courses beyond 2014.
The bench has also directed Ghai to pay a rent of Rs 5.3 crore annually since the year 2000 when the director entered into a joint venture with the government to start a film institute.
Leading industry personalities like Karan Johar, Hrithik Roshan, Sudhir Mishra, Boman Irani and Rohit Roy, among others, took to Twitter to express their support to the institute, highlighting its contribution to the industry. The stars tagged Chavan,
who has recently become active on Twitter through his official and personal ids. Even industrialist Anand Mahindra joined in with his support.“I firmly believe in our judiciary,” said Ghai. “The beauty of our judicial system is that they will hear you again if you knock on their doors once again. I hope to get justice from our courts. In the meanwhile, I am touched by all the support. Most members of the industry have been associated with Whistling Woods in some way or the other.It is their very own institute and hence they have come out so strongly in our support. I have now sought time from CM Chavan to get his help in saving Whistling Woods.” Earlier, Ghai daughter Meghna, who is also the president of the institute, tweeted on Sunday morning seeking support. “Students, Alumni, Staff & Faculty of @Whistling_Woods appeal to you @prithvrj sir to support out Institute which is currently under fire.” In no time, several stars and film makers were not only endorsing Meghna’s message but also adding their own pleas.
Karan Johar said, “As a filmmaker I request the authorities to preserve and protect @Whistling_Woods.... it has its heart embedded in contributing to cinema...” Minutes later, actor Hrithik Roshan, too, chipped in. “Pls do not dislodge an institute which has done what it promised and more! @Whistling_Woods @meghnaghaipuri I salute you 4 all u hv done," he tweeted.
Despite repeated attempts, the chief minister's office could not be reached for comment.
Seeking support on social media Anand Mahindra: “Institutes of learning take years to create & are the bedrock of an evolved city & society. To the CM@prithvrj:We must preserve @Whistling_Woods Actor Rohit Roy: “While collecting taxes from the film industry, they don't think twice but they want to shut a school @Whistling_Woods that is creating it!! This is a humble request to the powers that be... It is our only world class film facility..Don't take it away.. @prithvrj ji, please don't.. The gvmt n honorary Shri @prithvrj should be looking for solutions to SAVE one of the ONLY institutions in India imparting film education!“ Film maker Sudhir Mishra: “So much land for crap n no controversies. So much fuss over land for an educational institution. Come on Sirs, surely there is a solution! @prithvrj pls find a solutn fr WWI. It's a 1st rate institution n Subhashji has done cinema a Grt service!" Actor Boman Irani: “At the end of the day #whistling woods is a temple of learning. The last thing one must bring down.An appeal for students & industry," stated Irani.
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