Ashutosh Gowariker (Lagaan), Sriram Raghavan (Johnny Gaddaar), Zoya Akhtar (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara), Reema Kagti (Talaash), Urmi Juvekar (Shanghai), and Sanjiv Datta (Barfi) are among the distinguished film personalities who will instruct aspiring screenwriters at a five-day screenwriting workshop to be held by Whistling Woods International and the Film Writers Association. These eminent people will cover topics like ‘What does a director expect from his writer?’, ‘How does one survive the struggle to become a successful screenwriter?’, ‘What does it take to be a writer-director?’, ‘What are the special difficulties of being the co-writer of a writer-director?’, ‘How does one write lively, and character-specific dialogue?’ and ‘What are the implications of the amended Copyright Act for screenwriters?’ among many others. Ace screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, (Raajneeti, Ghulam), who regularly holds screenwriting workshops both in India and abroad, will be the main instructor of this workshop. He will educate participants about all the elements that go into the making of a tight, gripping screenplay and guide them about the advisable steps in the journey of a script – from idea to final dialogue draft. According to him, “The really exciting phase of Indian screenwriting is about to begin.” Speaking on the initiative, President, Whistling Woods International Meghna Ghai-Puri said, “We’re very pleased to have such legendary masters jointly conducting this workshop with us. Whistling Woods has always supported initiatives that encourage young talent in the industry. Moreover, we’re very pleased to be collaborating with the Film Writers’ Association in this initiative.” This is the first of a series of screenwriting workshops that Whistling Woods and the Film Writers Association will be holding across the country in cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bhopal, Lucknow, Bangalore, Cochin and Kolkata. The workshop will be held from 1 to 5 May, 2013, at the Whistling Woods.