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"Most Humane Storyteller": Actors, Filmmakers Remember Shyam Benegal

From Manoj Bajpayee, Kamal Haasan, to directors Sudhir Mishra and Shekhar Kapur, many paid their heartfelt tributes for the genius that Shyam Benegal was.

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"Most Humane Storyteller": Actors, Filmmakers Remember Shyam Benegal

Visionary filmmaker Shyam Benegal died at the age of 90 after being admitted to Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital. The director had recently celebrated his 90th birthday with his actors, including Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Divya Dutta, Rajit Kapur, and many others present. His death has left a void in Indian cinema. As tributes and condolences poured in, many remembered Benegal for his genius, empathy, and masterful storytelling.

Actor Manoj Bajpayee recalled his “transformative” experience working with the legendary director on the critically acclaimed Zubeidaa alongside Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Amrish Puri, Rajit Kapur, and more.

Also Read | Legendary Indian Director Shyam Benegal Dies At 90

“Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced understanding of performances. I’ll forever be grateful for the lessons I learned under his direction. It was an absolute honor to have had the opportunity to work with him. His legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he touched. Rest in peace Shyam Babu, Om Shanti,” he wrote in an X post.

Karisma Kapoor shared a behind-the-scenes photo of her with Benegal from the sets of Zubeidaa. Karisma won a Filmfare award for Best actress in 2002 for her impressive performance as the titular character. The actress wrote “Rest in Peace Shyam Babu. Legend Forever” and signed off with “Ur Zubeidaa..”

Sharing a photo of the two together, actor Kamal Haasan expressed his condolences. Observing the great loss in Indian cinema, he wrote, “India has lost the most humane storyteller of our time, and I’ve lost a guru. Through his lens, Shyam Benegal brought real India to the screen, making us love the ordinary while tackling profound social subjects. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who cherished his art.”

Actress and director Nandita Das recalled how she, like many other, grew up on Benegal’s films. “They helped us be who we are. They informed us, created empathy and challenged our prejudices. Made us think and feel and care about the world we lived in. He made us better human beings.” Sharing some heartfelt photos and a note recalling the director as a wonderful human being, Das wrote, “The world, my world, will never be the same. One doesn’t have to even meet often. Some people’s existence just gives us hope. Your contribution has been immense. A life fully lived. Now you rest.”

Sharing a series of Benegal’s photos from his early days to his last, actor Randeep Hooda thanked the director for inspiring many. Hooda recalled having missed working with him a few times. “He #ShyamBenegal might have passed but he will live on through his unforgettable films .. he inspired so many lives including mine through his cinema .. sadly missed working with him a couple of times.. always kind, soft spoken and thoughtful.. he continued doing what he loved right till the end, inspiring us further, all over again .. thank you Benegal saab,” he wrote.

Indian filmmaker Sudhir Mishra observed, “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.”

The Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi director also added, “If there is one thing Shyam Benegal expressed best : it was the Poetry of the ordinary face and ordinary lives !”

Director Shekhar Kapur hailed Benegal as the one who created “the new wave cinema.” Kapur wrote,”#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 great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide.”

Topics
Karisma Kapoor manoj bajpayee Nandita Das Randeep Hooda RIP shyam benegal Shekhar Kapur Shyam benegal shyam Benegal dies Sudhir Mishra

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