When a filmmaker becomes an entire genre himself, you know you're witnessing cinematic history in the making. This is precisely what Shyam Benegal achieved throughout his remarkable six-decade career, shaping countless actors, unveiling new worlds, and creating stories that transcended their time.
Celebrating Benegal's Vision at Ami Arts Festival
On a memorable Friday evening, some of Benegal's closest collaborators gathered at the month-long Ami Arts Festival hosted at KCC. The event featured a special conversation titled 'Through Benegal's Lens: Acting, Art and The Indian Conscience', curated by Atul Tiwari. What unfolded was a memory-rich discussion about the visionary who revolutionized Indian storytelling, with the panel continuing well beyond its scheduled time to the audience's delight.
On stage were acclaimed actors Divya Dutta, Rajit Kapur, Sachin Khedekar, along with Benegal's daughter and costume designer Pia Benegal, all moderated by Syed Mohd Irfan. Each shared personal experiences that painted a vivid picture of Benegal's influential world.
Life-Changing Collaborations
Rajit Kapur, who made his film debut with Benegal's 'Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda' and later worked in classics like 'Mammo', 'The Making of the Mahatma', 'Sardari Begum', and 'Zubeidaa', revealed how Benegal's professional discipline set new standards. "Benegal created discipline on set... and that spoiled me for other sets where people walked in late or unprepared," Kapur recalled. "And, he always knew the script by heart, no matter what."
Kapur shared an amusing anecdote about their first meeting: "I met Shyam babu briefly during a shoot. Back then, he told me, 'I will be in touch with you.' Usually, you don't take such statements seriously as many people say the same thing. But to my surprise, I received a call the very next day asking me to meet him at his office." When Benegal inquired if he spoke Hindi, Kapur cleverly responded, "Aazma ke dekh lijiye" (test me and see). This marked his entry into Benegal's world and his cinematic debut.
For Sachin Khedekar, working in 'Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero' represented a significant career turning point. After submitting a look-test, he received a callback within minutes. "He asked me my height - I said 5'11" - and then called me for a meeting," Khedekar remembered. "Despite numerous actors being tested, I looked the part and secured the role. Shyam babu destroyed all my old habits, rebuilt me, and made a Bose out of me." Khedekar also portrayed Dr BR Ambedkar in Benegal's television series 'Samvidhaan: The Making of the Constitution of India'.
Behind the Scenes Moments
Divya Dutta, who collaborated with Benegal on multiple projects including 'Samar' and 'Well Done Abba', recalled joining 'Welcome to Sajjanpur' at the last moment. She stepped onto the set only to hear "Divya's shot is ready," despite not having finished reading her lines. "I was terrified," she admitted.
Benegal's confidence in her abilities became even more evident during another project where she struggled with 40 pages of Punjabi verses. "I initially assumed there would be a teleprompter, but Shyam babu stopped it and asked me to memorize everything," Dutta shared. "I panicked and called my mother. He simply said, 'You can.' We were supposed to wrap up at 6 PM but finished by 3 PM," she added with a smile.
Pia Benegal, the filmmaker's daughter who designed costumes for 'Samvidhaan', 'Zubeidaa', and 'Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero', offered intimate insights into her father's character. "He was always willing to share his knowledge... a quiet guide who never forced anything on anybody," she lovingly recalled.
"Like Shabana Azmi always says, he is the 'unwilling guru.' She calls him that. I would say he was more a friend than a guru or mentor. He listened to everybody. He may not have agreed with you, but he never put anybody down."
The Man Behind the Filmmaker
Benegal proved equally remarkable as a father, nurturing curiosity and cultural appreciation in his daughter. "He opened up the world for me," Pia shared. "From different cuisines and music to art, architecture, and history, he introduced me to a rich tapestry of culture from a young age. Through him, I developed an eclectic taste and a deep personal interest in the arts. I've to thank my father for shaping not just my career, but my curiosity about the world."
She concluded emotionally, "He was really very special in that sense," capturing the essence of a man who transformed not just Indian cinema but the lives of those fortunate enough to work with him.
