Own Our Story, Not With Arrogance But With Authenticity, Says Gautam Adani At Whistling Woods

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani hailed the students of Whistling Woods International as the ‘Gems of Bharat’. He shared the stage with film personalities Rajkumar Hirani, Kartik Aaryan, and Jackie Shroff, whom he described as ‘icons’.

Taking to his social media platform, Gautam Adani shared a series of photographs from his interaction with students. The images captured moments from his address and his engagement at the film and media institute.

The images, however, included his address and a group photo with Subhash Ghai, Kartik Aaryan, and other guests.

Taking to X, the Adani Group Chairman posted, “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.”

“Sharing the stage with icons @rajkumarhirani, @bindasbhidu, @theaaryankartik 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,” the post added.

Addressing the gathering on Friday, Gautam Adani stressed the need for India to take charge of its global narrative. He emphasised the power of cinema and storytelling in shaping perceptions worldwide.

Additionally, he highlighted how emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can strengthen this effort.

“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.

Illustrating the enduring impact of Indian cinema, Gautam Adani cited Raj Kapoor’s 1951 classic ‘Awara’. He further noted that the film’s universal themes deeply resonated with Soviet audiences in the post-war years.

“Raj Kapoor was India’s finest advocate of soft power, building a cultural bond that uplifted Indo-Soviet ties for generations,” he remarked.

The Adani Group Chairman cautioned against allowing India’s stories to be filtered through Western perspectives. He pointed to films like Gandhi and Slumdog Millionaire as examples of narratives shaped by outsiders.

“Why must it take Richard Attenborough from across the oceans to tell us Indians the story of our Mahatma?” he questioned, adding, “India’s voice has been firm within our own borders but faint beyond them. And in that silence, others have lifted the pen, sketching Bharat through their lenses tinted by bias and shaped by their convenience.”

The Adani Group Chairman observed that such portrayals often reflected selective or distorted viewpoints.

“And nothing reveals this bias more than the British film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, a spectacle that sold Dharavi’s poverty for Western applause, turning our pain into foreign award-winning ceremonies,” Gautam Adani noted.

Drawing a contrast, the Adani Group Chairman referred to the Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun. He further explained that the film exemplifies how cinema can serve as a powerful tool of national projection.

“Behind the dogfights and heroism lies a brilliantly crafted narrative, one that showcases national pride, the might of the US military, and drives exports, an image of American courage to every corner of the world. These films are not just stories. They are strategic instruments designed to shape perception, project US strength, and define US identity,” he explained.

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