Shyam Benegal (1934 - 2024) – the name might not be as familiar as a Bollywood superstar, but in the world of Indian cinema, he's a bit of a legend. This visionary filmmaker has won just about every award going, including the Padma Shri, the Padma Bhushan and even the Dadasaheb Phalke Award - the Indian equivalent of a lifetime achievement Oscar.
Born in Alwal, Secunderabad, Benegal was the son of a photographer. The camera clearly fascinated him from a young age – he even made his first film "Chuttiyon Mein Mauj Maza" at the tender age of 12!
After studying Economics at Nizam College, he eventually moved to Mumbai and began his career as a copywriter, making ad films and documentaries before moving on to the world of feature films.
When he went to Bombay, did not have enough money and traveled on the railway pass of a friend's brother. He stayed at the home of Geeta Dutt, who was related to him and worked at Blaze Advertising. His paternal grandmother and Guru Dutt’s maternal grandmother were sisters.
His time teaching at the Film and Television Institute India (FTII) brought him closer to the world of film. But Benegal wasn't interested in churning out formulaic Bollywood blockbusters. He wanted to make films that mattered, films that explored social issues and challenged the status quo. He became a pioneer of the "New Wave" cinema movement, making films like Ankur, Nishant, and Manthan that dealt with themes like caste divisions, feudalism, and rural poverty.
And he had a knack for spotting talent, too. He helped launch the careers of some of India's finest actors, including Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, and Om Puri. He even gave a young Naseeruddin Shah his first film role in Nishant – despite the fact that Shah turned up to their first meeting dressed in cowboy boots and a corduroy jacket, looking nothing like the villager he was supposed to play!
Towards the latter stage of Benegal's career, television became a significant focus. His most ambitious project during this time was a year-long television series in the late 1980s based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s Discovery of India. This series, which encompassed centuries of Indian history, showcased its most significant moments and influential personalities. Notably, Benegal, with the assistance of respected academics, avoided stereotypical representations of figures like Aurangzeb and Shivaji. The series remains relevant and impactful today, with its writing reflecting the intricacies and complexities of the historical narrative it explores.
- Benegal was the State cycling champion and State swimming champion in his youth.
- He had a strong connection with Telangana, evident in several of his films being shot in the region. His debut film, Ankur, was filmed in Kapra municipality (now Sainikpuri). Nishant, a film highlighting the Telangana Armed Struggle, was shot in Gundlapochampally village. His film Mandi was shot in Bhongir village and Susman, which explores the impact of industrialization, was filmed in Pochampally village.
- Remembering Benegal from his early days as an ad filmmaker, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recalls that Benegal photographed his sister and some other children as the very first "Amul babies."
- Manthan (1976) was produced with the contributions of 500,000 farmers of Gujarat. Each gave Rs 2 to fund India's first crowd-funded film. The contributions not only covered all the costs but also made a profit. It won the 1977 National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and the Best Screenplay Award for Vijay Tendulkar.
- It's fascinating how Shyam Benegal drew inspiration from literature for his films. His 1977 film Bhumika was an adaptation of Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar's bestselling autobiography, while Junoon (1979) was based on Ruskin Bond's novella, A Flight of Pigeons. Even Suraj Ka Saatvan Ghoda, considered one of his most remarkable works, found its roots in Dharamvir Bharti's novel of the same name. Well Done Abba drew from Jeelani Bano's Narsayya Ki Baudi. The tele-series Amravati Ki Kathayein for Doordarshan, which was based on the Telugu short story collection Amaravati Kathalu by Satyam Sankaramanchi. It seems this director had a knack for recognising powerful stories, whether they came from real-life experiences or the pages of a book.
His life advice -
- Keep both your mind and body engaged, and don’t let frustrations take over. Life often reflects the attitude you bring to it.
- Focus on the present moment and tackle what’s right in front of you. Don’t lose sleep over what might happen five or ten years down the line—it’s rarely worth the stress.
- Surround yourself with positive people and a supportive environment—it makes all the difference.
- Maintain an organized lifestyle, with 6–8 hours of sleep and regular meals. It is a game-changer for physical and mental well-being.
Shyam Benegal was a true giant of Indian cinema, and a reminder that sometimes the most powerful stories are the ones that make us think.