A Bold New Chapter: SCREEN Academy Fellowship Empowers Young Filmmakers. From nurturing emerging voices to restoring timeless classics, Mumbai’s cinematic pulse beats stronger than ever. The #Newsdesk reports.  

Mumbai is witnessing a cinematic renaissance in 2025, where future-forward initiatives and heritage restoration are redefining India’s film culture. With the launch of the SCREEN Academy Fellowship by Indian Express Group and Lodha Foundation — offering financial aid and mentorship to Whistling Woods International students — and the nationwide 4K retrospective of Guru Dutt’s classics by Ultra Media and Entertainment and NFDC-NFAI, the city cements its legacy as the epicentre of Indian cinema. These groundbreaking efforts not only nurture emerging filmmakers but also preserve timeless masterpieces, ensuring that Mumbai continues to inspire, innovate, and celebrate the art of storytelling across generations.   

Mumbai, July 11, 2025 – In a landmark initiative set to shape the future of Indian cinema, the Indian Express Group and Lodha Foundation have jointly launched the prestigious SCREEN Academy, with a visionary postgraduate fellowship programme for students from India’s top film institutes, beginning with Mumbai’s own Whistling Woods International (WWI).

The fellowship is a gamechanger — blending financial support with world-class mentorship — aimed at enabling emerging filmmakers to pursue higher studies and benefit from deep industry immersion. Students selected from WWI will not only receive financial assistance but will also be mentored by some of Indian cinema’s most accomplished voices: Subhash Ghai, Ronnie Screwvala, Guneet Monga, Payal Kapadia, Resul Pookutty, and Anjum Rajabali, among others.  

“Cinema can shape society, and it's our duty to nurture storytellers who create with purpose,” said veteran filmmaker and WWI founder Mr. Subhash Ghai. “This sponsorship empowers passionate students to become the voices of tomorrow.”  

Meghna Ghai Puri, President of Whistling Woods International, emphasized the importance of accessibility in education: “This scholarship ensures that financial constraints do not come in the way of creativity and ambition. Our collaboration with the SCREEN Academy is rooted in shared values — excellence, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to nurturing storytellers.”  

The selection panel, led by Anjum Rajabali and WWI Dean Ravi Gupta, will ensure that only the most promising and purposeful storytellers are chosen, reinforcing WWI’s status as a beacon for aspiring filmmakers. The initiative not only levels the playing field but also provides access to masterclasses, internships, and hands-on exposure — bringing academia and industry closer than ever before.  

Honouring a Legend: Guru Dutt’s Centenary Celebrated with Nationwide Retrospective 

As India looks to its cinematic future, it also pays homage to its luminous past. This August, film lovers across the nation will witness a celebration of Guru Dutt, one of Indian cinema’s most revered auteurs, as Ultra Media and Entertainment brings a grand retrospective to theatres nationwide from 8th to 10th August 2025, in honour of his centenary year.

Audiences will experience restored 4K versions of Dutt’s classics including Pyaasa, Aar Paar, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Mr. & Mrs. 55, and Baaz — an exquisite opportunity for new generations to see these cinematic treasures on the big screen.

The restoration of these films has been meticulously undertaken by NFDC-NFAI under the National Film Heritage Mission of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 

Sushilkumar Agrawal, MD & CEO, Ultra Media, said: “Guru Dutt’s films are timeless masterpieces. We are honoured to present them in their restored glory so audiences can relive the magic.”

Prakash Magdum, MD, NFDC, added: “Restoring these films is about preserving the soul of Indian cinema. It’s a tribute that ensures his vision continues to resonate with generations to come.”  

The retrospective is not just a series of screenings—it’s a moment of national reflection and admiration for a filmmaker whose lyrical, melancholic, and humanistic cinema still holds a mirror to society and the human soul.

Mumbai: Where Cinema Lives, Breathes, and Evolves

From forward-looking fellowships fostering new talent, to reverent celebrations of the past through restoration and retrospectives, Mumbai continues to affirm its position as the beating heart of Indian cinema. Here, filmmaking is not just an industry—it's an everyday cultural force where students and veterans alike are shaping the stories that will define both memory and imagination. 

As the SCREEN Academy mentors tomorrow’s storytellers and Ultra Media revives yesterday’s masters, Mumbai’s cinema continues its incredible journey — rooted in tradition, driven by innovation, and united by an undying love for the moving image.