Shyam Benegal, a celluloid prophet who chartered fresh paths: Shaji N Karun
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Acclaimed filmmaker Shaji N Karun recalled his association with master craftsman Shyam Benegal who passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai on Monday evening. “When Benegal was heading the Pune Film Institute, I was a governing body member. His valiant efforts resulted in the academic progress made by the Pune Institute. I was also a member when Benegal was also the film screening committee panel head,” he said.
According to Shaji, Benegal chartered a fresh path for National Awards also. “It was Benegal who brought the concept of regional screening committee when the number of films for competition increased. He believed that no film should be ignored and the best film should win the National Award. When 'Piravi' was being screened at the London Film Fete, Benegal arrived for the festival when the brochure was being distributed to delegates. He immediately volunteered and distributed Piravi’s brochure to delegates, along with his wife,” said Shaji.
He also spoke highly of Bengal's musical sense. “He also had an extraordinary musical sense. He did not hesitate to chart a different path for music and introduce experiments based on it, in the process unearthing fresh musical talents. Spotting fine talent was his forte. He never erred in it. He also had a keen eye for finer details and his cinematography always had a deeply refined touch,” he said.
The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) recently honoured versatile actor Shabana Azmi at the Thiruvananthapuram fete for completing a Golden Jubilee in films. “Shabana went back immediately after the function. She took with her some Jasmine flowers to present to Shyam Benegal, for his birthday, for which she hurriedly left,” he said.