MUMBAI: Subhash Ghai-promoted Mukta Arts Ltd has invested Rs 500 million to set up Asia's biggest film, television, animation and media arts institute in Mumbai.

Whistling Woods International Ltd (WWIL), which is offering two-year courses, has tied up with technology majors including nVidia, Apple, Sony, AMD, Belden, Nortel, Seneca, DigiDesign, Recreate Solutions, ToonBoom and Sennheiser.

"At Whistling Woods, we are looking forward to arming the students with in-depth technology information, operating techniques and technical aptitude to enter the global entertainment industry," states Ghai.

The aim is to create a talent pool for the rapidly-growing Indian film and animation industry. "We hope the creation of new talent will even help our company ramp up movie production. We have invested Rs 500 million in the project," says Mukta Arts CEO Ravi Gupta who is also the executive director of WWIL.

WWIL provides specialisations in Direction, Screenwriting, Editing, Acting, Business of film and television, Cinematography, Art and techniques of animation and sound recording and design. The course fees range from Rs 7,00,000 to Rs 1 million. WWIL's first batch will hit the classrooms in July 2006.

"Through our well-respected faculty of working professionals from the industry, who will be educating the students on an international level, we believe that our Indian students can learn the art of story telling and the optimum use of technology for the same. With a good balance between creativity and technology, producing the best work, India will emerge as a major player in the international film, television, animation and media arts industry," adds Ghai.