BENEGAL, STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Shyam Benegal on his recent visit to Lucknow talked about legendary film maker Satyajit Ray’s influence on him. Benegal had back-to-back watched three show of Pather Panchali. He ended up watching it 17 times and then he finally decided to become a film maker.

Benegal revealed all this during a session with actorwriter Atul Tiwari and professional psychiatrist Dr Alok Bajpai. The event was organised by Lucknow Expression Society.

He talked about the documentary Satyaji Ray. “I was commissioned to make a 20 minute documentary on the legendary film maker but ended but making a 1 hour and 30 minute piece. When I showed his to the legend he said: ‘there is too much of Ray and too little of Benegal’. He advised me to more of myself than being influenced by him,” said Benegal.

In between the discussion small clipping from Aarohan, Manthan and Ray’s documentary were also shown. Benegal also talked about his Luck now connection, his terms with Shashi Kapoor with whom he shot Junoon in Lucknow.

Towards the end of the session it was announced that a book of Benegal would be launched soon. “The book was written by late Vivek Chatterjee, a theatre artiste from Lucknow. I am getting it published and the book will be out soon,” said Tiwari. Benegal’s wife Nira was guest of honour on the occasion.

Earlier, society’s founder representative Kanak Rekha Chauhan welcomed the guests and introduced the panel. The event was attended by Saleem Kidwai, Jayant Krishna, Anant Jauhari, Bulbul Godiyal, Mehru Jafar, Vijay Sahi, Yatindra Mishra and other eminent personalities from the city.

HT PHOTOS Atul Tiwari, Shyam Benegal and Alok Bajpai during the session.

Audience during the session.

The organising team

Nira Benegal