History

“It is to be recalled that in 1959 the raw stock of films crisis
had cropped up as this imported item was controlled under the
Essential Commodities Act and the quota of this raw stock was to be released
only on recommendations of the Indian Motion Pictures Association (IMPPA).
This quota system created a great hardship to the low budgeted
and regional film producers as the maximum share of the
raw stock was being taken away by the big
and influential film producers”

AND it was this time when J. P. Tiwari, the-then president of IMPPA who realizing the hardship of a certain group of film producers, resigned from there to fight out the injustice and unjust regulations in quota system. And under his advice and guidance, an another man of true principles S. Srivastava, along with like minded people with his vigorous initiative, got the effected film producers united and formed a ‘Body of Disgruntled Film Producers’ which later was transformed into a full-fledged Association named as WESTERN INDIA FILM PRODUCERS’ ASSOCATION. This is how the WIFPA took its birth in 1960, with its sole aim to enthuse, encourage and help the genuine value-based film producers.

WIFPA‘s constitution was finalized and signed by its 15 founder members on March 22, 1960. Registered under NTC Act, Society Act and Bombay Public Trust Act, a rented office was acquired at Fort Chambers, Mumbai. J.P. Tiwari helming the affairs of the association for 30 Years as it founder president till his death in December 1991. S. Srivastava became the founder Hon. Gen. Secretary and remained on its executive committee for 39 years till his death in May, 1999. Later G. P. Shirke, a man of free and frank opinion, beneficial to any organization, also joined and became WIFPA’s vice president. And later after the death of the President J.P. Tiwari, he was chosen the president and remained on this post till his untimely demise in January 1999.

WIFPA rendered many meritorious services from this rented office (1960-2003) and later vacated it and shifted to a newly purchased ownership premises in 2002 at Richa Building, Andheri. Under further expansion plans another ownership premises in 2009 at Maurya House, Andheri was purchased. WIFPA today is administrating all its activities from these premises under dynamic leadership of Sangram Shirke whose efforts and aims are to follow in the foot–steps of illustrious legendry film makers and to create healthy atmosphere for unity and mutual dignity in the film industry in general and its members in particular.

“In 1987” WIFPA celebrated its Silver Jubilee and in the year 2010 has completed its glorious journey of 50 years. This Golden Jubilee year is signified with a golden message of the President to the entire Film Fraternity: ‘Freedom to WORK, TRADE and CREATE for Freedom to Celebrate, Every Day’

“In 1998” WIFPA organised ‘Dadasaab Phalke Jayanti Celebration’ which was celebrated first time in the history of Film Industry on 30th April 1998. At Citizen Hotel in the presence of dignitaries of the industry and Smt. Brinda Pusalkar daughter of Dadasaheb Phalke. The ceremony was presided over by Shri Dev Anand.

WIFPA today has attained more than 10000 membership from all over India, and has became a symbol of aspiration and hopes for new generation of film producers with sense of National Art, Culture and Heritage of India

Important Years to Remember

1960: WESTERN INDIA FILM PRODUCERS’ ASSOCATION was established having its head-office at Mumbai, to cater the interest & rights of film makers of India.

1973: A Regional Branch Office was opened in Ahmedabad to serve the interest of Gujarati Film Producers and to help them in developing a film industry in Gujarat state.

1976: A Regional Branch Office at Lucknow was opened to cater the needs of film makers of U.P., Bihar & Delhi of Northern India due to emergence of Bhojpuri language films. At present the membership from Bihar state has increased tremendously.

1987: WIFPA celebrated its Silver Jubilee on 6th May, 1987 at Imperial Hotel, Mumbai in the presence of Balasaheb Thakarey, Sushilkumar Shinde, Dr. Ramesh Prabhu (Mayor of Bombay) and many dignitaries and celebrities from the film industry.

1996: This year J. P. Tiwari Award, a new rule no. 55 was incorporated in the constitution as amendment was passed by the extra ordinary general body meeting held on November 04, 1996 in profound memory of Late J. P. Tiwari who served the association for three decades as its founder president. There shall be two awards in the form of Trophy, Shawl and Cash to be conferred on two distinguished members. The One from those who has served WIFPA devotedly and the other one from those who has made remarkable contribution in any craft of the Indian Film Industry on the whole.

1998: The Birth Anniversary of father of the Father of Indian film industry, Dadasaab Phalke was celebrated, first time in the history of film industry. It was initiated and organized by WIFPA’S members, on April 30, 1998 at Citizens Hotel, Mumbai. The function was attended by the many numbers of dignitaries. The evergreen star Dev Anand was chief guest, Veteran Film Producer Director Yash Chopra was guest Honor and was presided over by WIFPA’s dynamic president G.P. Shirke. This Historic celebration was graced by the presence of Dadasaab Phalke’s only surviving daughter, Smt. Brinda Pusalkar.

2000: This year the first J.P. Tiwari Award Function was held on September 20, 2000, Awards to be conferred on Shri G.P. Shirke (Posthumously) which was received by his wife Smt. Kusum Shirke. The other Award was conferred on to Shri Babubhai Mistry for his remarkable services in film industry on the whole.

2002: WIFPA’s first ownership premises was purchased.

2003: The second J. P. Tiwari Award Function was held on December 10, 2003, awards to be conferred on to Shri B.J. Patel for his dedicated services to WIFPA and to Shri Shakti Samanta for his excellence to the Indian Film Industry on the whole.

2009: WIFPA’s another bigger office premises was purchased under its expansion plans.
Though WIFPA, from time to time has been very much active in WELLFARE AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES, recently in October 2009 it organized a Health and Eye Check-up Camp under the supervision of Mumbai’s prominent team of Eye Surgeon and Physicians at the newly purchased premises at Maurya House, where hundreds of members from film industry were examined, diagnosed and required treatment, cataract operations were undertaken. Spectacles were also distributed by the hands of cine- celebrities like Lara Dutta & Johny Lever to the needed patients.

2010: This melodious year is the Golden Jubilee year of WIFPA and shall always be remembered in its history of WIFPA with the significant message for the film industry by WIFPA’s president Sangram Shirke. “Freedom to Trade, Freedom to Work, Freedom to Creativity…..is the only key to celebrate freedom Every Day”