Shyam Benegal had a close and long association with Pune. It started with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) where he taught in 1966 and later served as its chairman for two terms, from 1980-83 and 1989-92. Known for his commitment to realism and human drama, his work in film, theatre, photography and television broke new ground in Indian cinema and the way filmmaking was taught at FTII.
Dhiraj Singh, director of FTII, shared his admiration for Benegal, saying, “I never got the chance to work directly with Shyam Benegal, but I have seen him in various fields. His emotional intelligence and adaptability were amazing. As chairman of FTII, he initiated major reforms, including coordination between the acting and supervisory departments, which laid a strong foundation for the institution. “
Prof Nihar Bhattacharya from the Art Direction and Production Design Department at FTII, who worked as a sketch specialist in Benegal, recalled the many evenings he spent with her in Pune and Mumbai.
“Over drinks and dinner, Shyam used to share his techniques for understanding cinema. He taught us everything in his unique way, incorporating lessons into everyday life. Cinema is a big subject, but he divided it into sub-factors like production, pre-production, and post-production. He also emphasized understanding the different departments that were developing new technologies, such as different types of cameras, sound, and lighting—whether for indoor or outdoor shooting. I have never been a part of Shyam’s films, but watching from a distance how he handles things on the ground was a great learning experience. The way he handled everything was remarkable. When he was down, it was clear—he was the boss,” says Bhattacharya, who first met Shyam Benegal as a student in Bombay on a study tour. He later joined FTII first as a student and then as a professor.
“His works like Ankur, Nishant and Bhumika shaped our generation. His real drama Ankur (1973) brought him fame and launched Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag, he won many national awards,” he added.
Atharva Malpote, a film buff and student of filmmaking at FTII, cited Benegal as his inspiration. He said, “Shyam Benegal is my biggest inspiration in the world of cinema. His approach to filmmaking was revolutionary. He was strict and disciplined. When it came to his work, he made sure every detail was perfect, yet he was kind, soft-hearted and incredibly compassionate. That combination of professionalism and personality is what makes him so amazing. His unique techniques, be it storytelling, direction, or working with actors, set him apart from everyone else. He didn’t just make movies, he made history and touched people’s lives.”
Shyam Benegal (December 14, 1934 – December 23, 2024), a respected figure in Indian cinema, died at the age of 90. An artist of the same cinema, Benegal is celebrated as one of the greatest filmmakers of the post-1970s era. . His legacy includes 18 National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and a Nandi Award, as well as the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his contributions to the arts. .
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