“Mere Paas Mira Hai”, said Sooni Taraporevala-a scriptwriter for over 24 years, on her award-winning achievements as a screenwriter and referring to her personal and professional relationship with filmmaker Mira Nair  of Salaam Bombay, Mississippi Masala  and The Namesake  fame. Sooni, an accomplished photographer and now director of  Little Zizou took the master-class following an exclusive screening of the film for the students. “You owe it to the subject; always do your homework”. Having instant connection with the students at Whistling Woods during an interactive session last week ,  she pointed out that the approach and research involved  in screen writing depended on whether the subject was fictional or based on history, as was the case with the award-winning film Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar , directed by Jabbar Patel,  which involved years of research.
Referring to adaptations, she said: “When reading, even one line can be expanded, ten pages can be shrunk, translate cinematically—what can be put on screen..It is a challenge to be bound by the length of the screenplay, without losing the spirit”.
She described the screenplay of her debut film as “very organic, ‘breaking all the rules’, I wrote it with actors and locations in mind.” And was full praise of “a wonderful crew and cast, which made for a collaborative dance. “There are gifts that happen, if you are receptive”, she pointed out.
Visibly delighted,, Sooni said  “It was wonderful interacting with the young, very interested, curious and passionate students of Whistling Woods. I’m sure they will go far. More power to them!