Shyam involved all of us in the creative process: Govind Nihalani

Barely seven months ago, the restoration of Shyam Benegal’s landmark feature film Manthan — on its turning 50 — was quite a talking point in the Indian film fraternity. It was fittingly premiered at the Cannes Film Festival but more importantly, sensitised new age audiences to the significance of the film in ushering in the New Wave 2.0 in Indian cinema.

It’s a pity that at a time when the auteur passed away at 90 on Monday, a number of the stalwarts created by him, such as an Om Puri or a Smita Patil, are no longer there to remember him. Taking to his X handle, veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said: ‘’He created the new wave cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man that changed the direction of Indian cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan and countless others. He created stars out of great actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide.’’

The combination of Benegal and Govind Nihalani (who later gave us cult films like Aakrosh and Ardh Satya) as his cinematographer, held the key to the earthiness and aesthetic excellence of the former’s earlier films. Their journey began with Ankur and in an interview on Wild Films India, Nihalani once elaborated on the recipe behind the celebrated filmmaker’s process.

‘’Working with Shyam, you are not only a cinematographer who is setting the light or taking a shot. He used to involve the technicians and actors in the entire creative process and it made a lot of difference,’’ Nihalani had said.

‘’Most of his films were shot in locations where you stayed together at a stretch for a number of days. You would be having breakfast, lunch and dinner together…then there would be some birthdays coming. It was more like a picnic.’’

It’s the stuff of legend to how Benegal was instrumental in creating all-time greats like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri or the pair of Shabana Azmi-Smita Patil. However, as late as 2001, he visualised Manoj Bajpayee in the role of a royal in his period piece Zubeidaa, and the latter remains grateful for the break.

The actor met Benegal a couple of years after his breakout role as the mafia don Bhiku Mhatre in the 1998 crime classic Satya by Ram Gopal Varma. 

‘’He sent me a message through Ram Gopal Varma. And Varma told me only one thing: Shyam Benegal wants to work with you. He wants to cast you in some role. I don’t know what the film is all about but you are not going to say no to anything that he offers. That should be our regard and respect to that filmmaker, so you are going to say yes. You are not going to say no. And I was so grateful to Ram Gopal Varma that I decided that I would do whatever he gives me,’’ Bajpayee told PTI in a recent interview.

Bollywood actor Kajol said on her X handle: ‘’Deeply saddened by loss of the legendary Shyam Benegal. His contributions to Indian cinema are immeasurable and his legacy will live on through his incredible body of work.’’

Addressing Benegal as Shyam Babu, as he was known to friends and collaborators, filmmaker Hansal Mehta thanked the filmmaker for being an inspiration. "Thank you for the cinema. Thank you for giving tough stories and flawed characters such amazing dignity. Truly among the last of our greats," Mehta wrote.

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said Benegal was the best at expressing "poetry of the ordinary face and ordinary lives".

"Much will be written about Shyam Benegal but for me not many talk about the fact that there was a lament in his films and a sadness about the fact we were not living in the best of all possible Worlds (sic)" he said in another post on X.

Mishra, who spoke highly about the filmmaker when he launched a book on Benegal by Atul Tiwari in Lucknow barely three days ago, said he couldn't believe the veteran would "leave us so soon".

Telugu superstar and politician Chiranjeevi also paid tributes to Benegal, a fellow Hyderabadi. "Deeply saddened at the departure of Shri Shyam Benegal, one of the finest film makers and great intellectuals of our country. He discovered & nurtured some of the brightest film talents of India.

"His films, biographies and documentaries form part of India’s greatest cultural treasure!! A fellow Hyderabadi & former Rajya Sabha member, Benegal Sab’s masterful works will always be held in great esteem in Indian Cinema! Rest In Peace Sir!!" he wrote.

Director Rahul Dholakia said he was fortunate to have met Benegal, who was also his father's friend.

"The father of art house / new wave / alternative or simply fine cinema - who gave us classics like Ankur, Manthan, Nishant, Mandi.. Junoon, Kalyug and many more.. #ShyamBenegal sir is no more — a fine man, a gentle soul and one of Indias finest filmmakers (sic)" Dholakia added.

"Farewell to the legendary #ShyamBenegal, the master storyteller who redefined Indian cinema with his realism and depth. His films will continue to inspire generations. Rest in peace maestro," said Bengali star Prosenjit Chatterjee on X.