Mumbai, 30 June 2025- Whistling Woods International (WWI) proudly announces that, in a historic milestone for Indian Media & Entertainment education, Chaitanya Chinchlikar, Whistling Woods’ Vice President & Chief Technology Officer – has been invited become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in its Production and Technology Branch. The AMPAS, among many other activities, is also the body behind the Oscar Awards.
With this invitation, Chaitanya Chinchlikar becomes the first Indian educator to become a member of the Academy, marking a transformative moment that underscores India’s growing influence in the education of cinematic arts and sciences.
Subhash Ghai, Founder & Chairperson of WWI, remarked, “When we built Whistling Woods, our dream was to place India at the centre of global Film & Creative Arts education. Chaitanya’s induction into the Academy shows that dream taking shape. It’s not just a proud moment for our Whistling Woods family, but an indication to the world that Indian M&E education is ready to take its place on the global stage in creating the next generation of Filmmakers with talent, technology and imagination.”
Meghna Ghai Puri, President of WWI, added, “Today is a historic moment. Chaitanya’s invitation is much more than a personal honour, it reflects years of dedication to education and technology. It’s a proud day for everyone at WWI and for the entire Indian creative community.”
This recognition validates Whistling Woods International’s founding mission to cultivate world-class talent, rooted in India and respected globally. Chaitanya’s induction into this elite international fraternity sets the stage for deeper global collaborations and new opportunities for Indian talent in media and entertainment.”
The entire Whistling Woods family stands united in celebrating this extraordinary achievement – a moment that will be remembered as a defining chapter in the institution’s illustrious journey toward global pre-eminence in production and technology.
