Remembering Shyam Benegal: A visionary filmmaker who redefined Indian cinema with his pioneering stories, humility, and unwavering support for independent voices that continue to shape the industry today. Vinta Nanda remembers…

Photography: Vinta Nanda

Shyam Benegal, the legendary filmmaker, transformed Indian cinema with groundbreaking films like Ankur, Nishant, and Bhumika, blending artistic excellence with social consciousness. Known as a pioneer of parallel cinema, his contributions gave voice to independent filmmakers navigating a challenging industry. This tribute reflects personal memories of his mentorship, warmth, and remarkable storytelling, showcasing how his influence extended beyond the screen.

Shyam Babu, as I had the privilege of calling him, was not just a towering figure in Indian cinema but also a generous soul who profoundly impacted my journey as a filmmaker. My encounters with him, though few, were moments of immense learning and inspiration. His warmth, wisdom, and unwavering support for filmmakers like me made him a guiding light in the labyrinth of the Hindi film industry. Here are a few cherished memories I hold dear.

A Precious Conversation at Rajkamal Studios

During the rerecording and sound mixing of my film White Noise at Rajkamal Studios, I stepped out for a cigarette break. As I sat on the steps outside the recording studio, a voice called my name. It was Shyam Babu. I got up to greet him, but with a wave of his hand, he ushered me to remain seated and joined me. Until then, I had only met him formally a few times and never had the chance to have a real conversation.

Shyam Babu seemed to know I was at the completion stage of my film and noticed my nervousness. He asked how I planned to take my film forward. When I admitted my uncertainty but expressed a desire to get it into theatres, he shared the story of how he released his first film, Ankur. He spoke about the challenges of bringing non-mainstream films to theatres and how he bypassed conventional routes by collaborating with Blaze, a conduit for screening ad films in cinema halls during the 1970s and 1980s. Through Blaze, Ankur, made on a modest budget of ₹6 lakhs, recovered ₹14 lakhs—a resounding success.

As he left, he told me, "Find your own way. I know you must know many heavyweights in the industry, but none of them can help you even if they would like to. The system is such. Your film is good—Ghosh (the re-recordist) showed me a couple of reels the other day when I was here—you're a good filmmaker." His words filled me with courage. It was an unforgettable experience.

An Encounter at His Office

In 2009, while consulting for an ad agency, the founder and his brother asked me to arrange a meeting with Shyam Babu to invite him to an event. Shyam Babu graciously gave us an appointment at his office in Tardeo. During the meeting, I could sense his discomfort as the founder and his brother appeared irreverent and oblivious to his body of work.

Shyam Babu tactfully told them he would get back to them about the event. While we waited for tea, he turned his attention to me and got into a conversation about my work, from my early days as an assistant director with Ramesh Talwar, Raman Kumar, Manjul Sinha, and Shekhar Kapur, to my series Tara and White Noise. It was evident he knew all of them and respected the craft.

I called him later to apologize for the behaviour of the agency’s founders. He reassured me, saying, "Don’t worry. I talked to you about your work because I wanted them to know that you are far superior to the two of them." His words demonstrated his innate ability to uplift others.

At the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

In 2011, I was curating the film section of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and had the opportunity to screen Shyam Babu’s Well Done Abba. When I invited him to join us for a post-screening Q&A, he graciously agreed. As always, he captivated the audience with his insights, humility, and charm. His presence elevated the event, and his willingness to engage with the audience highlighted his deep commitment to cinema and its community.

A Final Meeting at the Premiere of Mujib

On 23rd October 2023, my friend Aparajita Krishna invited me to the premiere of Mujib – The Making of a Nation, Shyam Babu’s final film. That evening, I saw him for the last time. Frail and surrounded by many people, there was a glimmer of recognition in his eyes as I approached him. We exchanged a few words, and I held his hand, telling him how much I loved the film after the screening. It was a brief moment, but to stand beside him and be photographed felt like a culmination of the deep respect I had for him.

To have known Shyam Babu, even in the small ways I did, was an honour. His encouragement, wisdom, and support for filmmakers who dared to step outside mainstream conventions paved the way for voices like mine to be heard. The Hindi film industry owes him a debt of gratitude for breaking barriers and redefining cinema. For me, he will always remain a guiding star and a source of inspiration.