For General-Xers, Shyam Benegal names the memories of Cinematic talent. Master narrator has left an indelible mark with iconic films Sprouts And KalyugaOn December 23, 2024, the end of an era was marked by his passing at the age of 90.

Benegal, though born in Hyderabad, had roots in Karnataka. His father, Sridhar B Benegal, was a photographer of Udupi. His passion for the film was such that he was included in the medium till 2023, in which Indo-Bangladesh cooperation was released, Mujib: The Making of a NationBased on the life and works of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and the first President of Bangladesh.

Veteran actor Anant Nag, who has worked with Benegal in six films Ankur, Bhumika, Manthan, Nishant, Kalpag And KonduraFrom 1973 to 1980, I worked with this power named Shyam Benegal. ,

Anant, who won the Padma Bhushan in 2025, says, “This is the second highest civilian award and if I yearn for more then it will be greedy and pretending to my part.” The actor gives a special shout to Union Bank to give him a job during his struggle days.

“I started my career in the theater and in those days Union Bank was encouraging talent like me. When I received an offer in films, I informed the bank, who were very kind, I was not earning much, but whatever I earned with him was valuable and they were valuable and they early to get me to rehearsal Let it go.

The bank told him that if things go to the south in cinema, he can always return. “They were ready to give me any amount of holiday at the loss of payment. Once the proposal increased, I quit the job. ,

Anant makes his debut with the film Kannada Shankalpa (Determination) In 1973, directed by Nanjraj Urs. Anant went to Mumbai and met Amol Palekar. “Amol introduced me to Satyadeva Dubey, who said that a friend was making a film and introduced me to Shyam Benegal.”

They were experimental theater and cinema days, ”Anant says. “Drama and films bowed to not intellectual and commercial.” Anant played Surya in Benegal sprout“It was a negative character, but it didn’t matter to me.”

Although he learned under Dubey, Anant says that his skills were further polished while working with Benegal. ,sprout It was shot in 40 days and I came to know that Shyam was a deep person, so his knowledge was his command through English and cinema. He came from a theater background, made advertisements and worked with Elik Padmasi. ,

His role in KonduraBased on a novel by Chintamani T Khanolkar, his most challenging, Anant says. The film was also made in Telugu, titled Anugrahm. The screenplay was written by Benegal and Girish Karnad and featured Smita Patil, Vanisri, Satdev Dubey and had cinematography by Govind Nihalani.

“Kondura had a spiritual, sexual and an ordinary rural story track, which was running concurrently. Shyam was presenting social issues not only to present the real realities of life but also in his films. No one could do what Shyam has done. And anyone who has worked with him cannot be, but cannot come under his mantra. ,

Benegal, Anant said, there was a powerful personality that after a point it could be creatively oppressive. “When I decided that I would have to overcome myself from his personality. I realized that I can never live or think like him. He was the kind of power that was on the people around him. ,

When Anant moved to Bengaluru, he started working with Ms. Satyu and his wife, Shama Zaidi, who wrote a script for Benegal. “He is a great writer and Shyam found a permanent script writer in Shama. Shyam continued to make separate films and got stuck in the path that he believed. ,

As a director, Anant says, Benegal was not unstable. “He did not lose his temper on the set. He sits with each actor, brief him on his roles and character, and is available through the day to discuss or to clarify doubt. ,

Benegal, Anant says, there was a wise spirit. “He will post brief shots for laughter and then rally we will rally, ‘Let us focus, we have a task on hand’. He always used to look for new topics that worked in many layers , And with the possibility of various interpretations, stories with strong undercontinent. “

Anant says that he remained in touch with Benegal even after he left. “I came to know that he met the mythological director, Guru Dutt, who is the second cousin of Shyam and Deepika Padukone is also related to the family. Shyam also bought a house in Bangalore and wanted to live here, but did not move forward because he felt in Mumbai, he could make at least advertising films, if nothing else was done in the form of all his contacts. ,

True to the story

Benegal with Amrish Puri, Nana Patekar, Amita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

KS Sridhar, the director of the Films Division, who has now been merged with NFDC, talks about her cooperation with Benegal. On a Mumbai call, Sridhar says, “We worked together for Films Division and later Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF).”

“Shyam made several films for the Films Division and kept in touch with us. He gave great importance to the documentaries. Sridhar met Benegal in 2014. “He considered MIFF a great platform for documentaries, short films and animation. He was a soft -spoken person, who would not be excited or angry. He was always composed. Every time I used to talk to him, I used to learn something – that’s knowledge. ,

Sridhar says that nothing was stopped by Benegal from making films. Apart from this, a documentary filmmaker, Sridhar says, “Shyam has seen some of my films and will always say, ‘When you work for a government organization, you need to stick to some rules’. That is what she Also, which always clings to the subject and does not get out of the core subject. “

Sridhar recalled Benegal advice, “Keep in mind that whatever film you make, do not make it in a way that makes bureaucracy issues. You cannot take money from the government and criticize it. ,

Hidden mobility

HN Narahari Rao (Extreme Right) and Girish Kasaravalli with Bengal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Federation of Film Society of India (FFSI) Vice President HN Narahari Rao and Suchitra Film Society were also very close bond with Benegal.

His book, World’s most memorable movies: from film Society diariesIt was launched by Benegal, who also wrote the preface for the book.

“I worked as Vice President with FFSI, while Shyam was the President and when he retired in 2012, I took over as President. We worked together for six years and Shyam inaugurated Biffs (Bangalore International Film Festival) long ago in Suchitra, while I worked as an artistic director for the festival. The 84 -year -old Narahari says some films were also seen in the Tribon Theater.

When he wrote the book, Film Society Movement in IndiaPublished by the Asian Film Foundation in 2009, Benegal gave interviews for the book. “Every time he was in Bengaluru, he will always make a point to meet me. We had a close bond. ,

As a director, Narahari says: “Shyam was eager for the history of India and can be seen on Netaji in his films or Bharat a searchHis death has given us a tough competition. However, I would not call it loss, because life and death are part of our existence. What are his films, which speak of harassment in various levels. ,

using the sprout As an example, Narahari says, “Beautiful climax, where the oppressed man picks up a stone and throws it on the window, that is ‘Ankur’ is the beginning or seed in his life! .