Subhash Ghai's 'Gurukul'
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai’s has desired to open a meditation center style Gurukul similiar to that of Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan. The Center would include a prayer room and a center for classical music catering to frayed souls from the film fraternity. Ghai had purchased a 20 acre plot in Goregaon area near Film City, but the land was embroiled in a legal battle and he was handed just 5.5 acres for his film school.
In the last two years, Ghai has managed to acquire a few more acres and has been able to live out his dream of starting this meditation center which he has named Gurukul. The 70 year old has chosen Bollywood Actress Vidya Balan as his brand ambassador.
“Vidya is the only non-cosmetic actress in the industry. Her knowledge about India’s culture is profound. She has a deep connection with our traditions. While most actresses would have asked, ‘Am I getting Rs 2 crore or Rs 5 crore?’ Vidya came on board so she could learn more about meditation,” – said Ghai
Ghai plans to invite composer Hariharan and actress Hema Malini to conduct special sessions at the center and make it the go-to spot for members of the film fraternity looking for spiritual guidance. “Actors go abroad for a detox retreat, they can now come here to relax under the stars in the I-Pray room. We are not affiliated to any religion, we will just have spiritual music playing there,” says Ghai.
The two will also come together to launch a music school in the same vicinity that will encourage the use of classical music in Bollywood. “It will encourage music composers and singers to study classical songs in a traditionally-styled Gurukul,” added Ghai