Gautam Adani Hails Whistling Woods Students as “Gems of Bharat,” Highlights India’s Soft Power Through Cinema
Mumbai: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani praised the students of Whistling Woods International, calling them the “Gems of Bharat,” while sharing the stage with celebrated personalities like Rajkumar Hirani, Kartik Aaryan, Jackie Shroff, and Mahaveer Jain.
Taking to Instagram, the billionaire shared a series of photos from his address at the film institute, including moments with filmmaker Subhash Ghai, Kartik Aaryan, and others. In his post, Adani wrote, “Always energizing to be among the youth of our nation. And when that youth comes from @whistling_woods, the energy turns electric. Thank you, @subhashghai1, for giving our country a powerhouse of creativity and passion – every corner of your institute radiates inspiration.”
He further added, “Sharing the stage with icons @hirani.rajkumar, @apnabhidu, @kartikaaryan, and Mahaveer Jain made the evening even more special! To the students – you are the gems of Bharat. Let your Bharatiyata light the path to India’s greatness.”
During his address on Friday, Adani emphasized the importance of India taking charge of its global narrative through the soft power of cinema, storytelling, and the use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“If we do not narrate who we are, others will rewrite who we were. That is why we must own our story, not with arrogance but with authenticity, not as propaganda, but as purpose,” he stated.
Adani cited the example of Raj Kapoor’s classic film Awara, which deeply resonated with Soviet audiences after World War II, calling Kapoor one of India’s finest ambassadors of soft power who built enduring cultural bridges between India and the Soviet Union.
Warning against India’s identity being shaped through Western perspectives, he questioned, “Why must it take Richard Attenborough from across the oceans to tell us Indians the story of our Mahatma?” referring to the British-made film Gandhi.
He criticized films like Slumdog Millionaire for exploiting India’s poverty to win Western accolades, saying, “It sold Dharavi’s pain for foreign applause, turning our struggles into award-winning spectacles.”
Contrasting this with Hollywood’s Top Gun, Adani noted that such films are not just entertainment but also instruments of national projection. “Behind the dogfights and heroism lies a narrative of pride and power — showcasing American might, driving exports, and shaping global perception. These films are strategic tools that project US strength and define its identity,” he said.
