Reify is the parent company of The GODS Studio, both of which have been initiated by the Founder and Chairman, Mr. Rajesh Kulkarni. He is a Mumbai-born Arts graduate settled in Pune and has spearheaded several innovative and successful projects such as awards, exhibitions and conclaves in the fields of architecture, industry, music and cinema. These include the Artists in Concrete Awards (AICA) Asia, the conclave and exhibition Maharashtra Marches Ahead, Celestial Voice calendar event, Her Majesty – A Lata Mangeshkar tribute concert and more.

Passionate about the Golden Era (1949-1975) of Hindi cinema, and fervently ardent about Hindi film music from this same era, Mr Kulkarni is deeply intrigued by the individualistic musical styles of different music directors. The common factor among all these music directors is Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar and the immortal memories they created through their musical journey with her during that era. Deeply respectful of the miracle that is Lata Mangeshkar, Mr Kulkarni has always wanted to create a grand show on her. At the GODS Festival, a Special Gallery on Mangeshkar has been meticulously planned. Approximately 50 articles on Lataji from classical stalwarts like Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pandit Shivkumar, and film legends Hema Malini and Madhuri Dixit will be showcased.

Mr Kulkarni firmly believes that just the way detailed documentation is available on varied international legends thanks to vibrant museums and galleries abroad, India too requires proper documentation on the legends of cinema, which, unfortunately, is sorely missing currently. This passion of documenting the details is what led him to ideate on the concept of GODS. …And this is how the Gallery Of Dreams Festival was born. It is a Journey of Images, Emotions and Memories. These movable galleries will present 100 glorious years of Hindi cinema. Additionally, the GODS Sports Gallery will highlight India’s contribution in the field of sports, and celebrate the achievements of Indian sportspersons. The GODS e-magazine will present, in a digital format, engaging and informative content about the golden era of Hindi cinema as well as current cinematic and OTT trends. The magazine aims to engage and educate readers about Hindi cinema, and its true essence.

An out-of-the-box thinker, Mr Kulkarni also conceptualised AICA (Artists in Concrete Awards) Asia – the first architectural competition which had a 100% international jury evaluating the participating projects. Launched in 2007, AICA contributes tremendously to the architectural sector and the construction design industry in India. Inspired by the World Architectural Festival, AICA is deeply rooted to multiple architectural design concepts and innovations. It provides an exciting platform for architects, interior designers and landscape designers at the Asia level. AICA is the first ever architectural summit in India which invites and hosts international juries from across the world. It is the only competition in India which gives architects a platform to make a live presentation of projects in front of an international jury panel from across the world. Prominent and world-famous architects such as Ken Yeang from Malaysia, Juhani Pallasmaa from Finland, Patric Lim from Indonesia, Fernando Menis from Spain, Jo Noero from South Africa, Julion Veyron from France and Rasem Badran from Jordan have been in attendance at AICA. India’s top architects such as Qutub Mandviwala, Ashok Korgaonkar (Guinness Book Record Holder), Hafeez Contractor, Sanjay Puri, Sandeep Shikre, Shashi Prabhu, Christopher Benninger, Gurpreet Singh Shah, Sanjay Mohe, Sanjay Patil, Vivek Sing Rathore and more have been associated with AICA. Top VIP architects like Kamal Malik, Uttam Jain and Ratan J Batliboi have also attended AICA.

‘Maharashtra Marches Ahead’ in 2010 saw prominent brands from the state participate in the conclave and exhibition in Mumbai, drawing considerable footfall. This event was partnered with IBN Lokmat. Some well-known brands which participated in the conclave and exhibition were BG Shirke, Somany Ceramics, ISPAT Industries, H&R Johnson Tiles, Ambuja Cement, Bank of India and Mumbai Cricket Association Recreation Club.

The company conceptualised and created the Celestial Voice calendar and concert in 2008. It featured world-renowned ghazal maestro, Ustad Mehdi Hassan, who is known by the title Shahenshah-e-Ghazal. Due to Ustad Mehdi Hassan being indisposed, his son, singer Asif Mehdi attended the felicitation event, where he accepted the ‘MaanPatra’ (citation) on behalf of his renowned father from India’s classical music maestro Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. The event was held in association with Loksatta and Indian Express. This unique calendar was also presented to the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was a great fan of Hassan’s melodies. A series of live concerts followed, including a historical performance at Shaniwarwada, Pune, with Asif Mehdi rendering his father’s much-loved songs.

A new bar in music was set in 2011 with GODS Studio’s spectacular record-setting programme of 8 hours, dedicated to Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar. Titled ‘Her Majesty’, the live concert featured singers from across Maharashtra including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nasik, below the age of 18. These young talents rendered timeless melodies of the incomparable Lata Manageshkar. Music for the concert was conducted by veteran music composer and arranger Anil Mohile, who has scored music for several Hindi and Marathi films, and has worked closely with Mangeshkar over many years.

Taking the heritage of Hindi cinema to the world, GODS is now set to showcase this marvellous creation at international as well as domestic destinations.

GODS – A Journey of Images, Emotions, and Memories is a movable gallery project of 100,000 square feet. It will showcase the rich heritage of Hindi films from its inception in 1913 to current times. Various galleries dedicated to different eras in Hindi cinema history will celebrate films, music, directors, actors and actresses, singers, and technicians who have contributed to the invaluable treasure that is Hindi cinema.

An 8-day event, the festival will be held in Greece from 17 April – 24 April, 2022. Leading personalities from Hindi cinema will participate in various events and activities at the festival.

The GODS Sports Gallery is an additional 50,000 square feet of gallery space that will showcase India’s popular as well as lesser known sports.

It will also celebrate the achievements of sportspersons who have won honour for the nation over the past 100 years.