As long as I have the strength and my mind is working, I’d like to make movies – Shyam Benegal

Shyam Benegal (14 December 1934 – 23 December 2024) made over 20 feature films, 70 documentaries and short films. Born in Hyderabad, he was the State cycling champion and State swimming champion.

In the 1970s, when mainstream Hindi cinema was dominated by commercial movies with Angry Young Man themes, Shyam Benegal came out with Ankur (The Seedling, 1974,) marking the beginning of parallel cinema movement in India. The movie was a criticism of the caste system and rural feudalism in India and received widespread national and international acclaim.

Benegal directed Ankur, Nishant (1975,) Manthan (1976,) Bhumika (1977,) Junoon (1979,) Kalyug (1981,) Arohan (1982,) Mandi (1983,), Trikaal (1985,) Susman (1987,) Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1993,) Mammo (1994,) The Making of the Mahatma (1996,) Sardari Begum (1994,) Zubeidaa (2001,) Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005,) Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008,) and Well Done Abba (2010).

He also made Television series Yatra (1986) and Bharat Ek Khoj (1988) – based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s book Discovery of India, Samvidhaan – on the making of the Constitution of India.

Benegal was Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from February 2006 to February 2012.  The Indian Government honoured him with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 2005.  He won many accolades in India and from the International Film Festivals.

My association with Shyam Benegal was in 2004 when he was making the movie Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero.  Some parts of the movie – scenes depicting World War II – were shot in the Devlali Field Firing Ranges.  Our Regiment was responsible for providing necessary administration support to the crew.

One morning, I was on my walk and came to the Inspection Bungalow where Shyam Benegal was staying.  He was walking on the verandah.  I said “You were shooting the entire night.  I thought you must be sleeping now.”

“The Director of the movie is the Captain of the ship and cannot afford to sleep.  I keep visualising the scenes I am to shoot this evening in the morning,” he replied.

I called for two cups of tea and the discussion went on.  I asked, “You are making a movie on a great personality of our freedom struggle.  His contributions are immense but always shrouded in secrecy and controversies.  Will your movie ever see the light of the day, or will it remain in the cans?”

Without flinching an eye, he said, “I make a movie which I am very much immersed in, and the subject is very close to my heart.  I enjoyed making all my movies and controversies are not new to me.”

After immigrating to Canada, I purchased a copy of the movie Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (it came in two CDs then.) I realised that Shyam Benegal made the movie with his heart, soul and mind.

I visited the sets and everyone on the set – from the cast to the light boy – addressed him as Shyam Babu.  He commanded real respect from one and all and he was a true Captain of the ship.

During a break in the shoot, I moved to a corner for a smoke.  Rajit Kapur, the actor was with me, and I offered him a cigarette which he politely refused saying, “This is Shyam Babu’s set.  No one dare to smoke here.” (Shyam Babu smoked too!) I put the cigarette packet in my pocket and returned to my seat.

Rest in Peace Shyam Babu