How Shyam Benegal left his mark of commitment and realism at FTII, Pune

"His emotional intelligence and ability to adapt to situations were remarkable," said Dhiraj Singh, director of FTII.

Atharva Malpote, a film enthusiast and student of filmmaking at FTII, spoke of Benegal as his inspiration. He said, “Shyam Benegal is my ultimate inspiration in the world of cinema. (Archives)

4 min readPuneDec 27, 2024 11:20 PM IST First published on: Dec 27, 2024 at 11:20 PM IST

Alister Augustine and Ajinkya Rode

Shyam Benegal had a close and prolonged association with Pune. It began with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) where he taught in 1966 and later served as its chairman during two tenures, 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 as well as how film making was taught at FTII.

Dhiraj Singh, director of FTII, shared his admiration for Benegal, saying, “I never got a chance to work directly with Shyam Benegal, but I have seen him in various capacities. His emotional intelligence and ability to adapt to situations were remarkable. As chairman of FTII, he initiated significant changes, including collaborations between acting and direction departments, which laid a strong foundation for the institute.”

Prof Nihar Bhattacharya from the Art Direction and Production Design Department at FTII, who worked as a sketch master for Benegal, recalled the many evenings he spent with him in Pune and Mumbai.

Also Read | ‘It’s truly the end of an era’: Contemporaries, friends bid farewell to Shyam Benegal

“Over drinks and dinner, Shyam often shared his techniques for understanding cinema. He taught us everything in his own unique way, integrating lessons into day-to-day life. Cinema is a vast subject, but he broke it down into smaller aspects like production, pre-production, and post-production. He also emphasised understanding various departments that were evolving with new technology, such as different types of cameras, sounds, and lights—whether for indoor or outdoor shooting. I was never a part of Shyam’s film shoots, but observing even from a distance how he handled things on the floor was a great learning experience. The way he managed everything was remarkable. When he was on the floor, it was clear—he was the boss,” said Bhattacharya, who first met Shyam Benegal as student in Bombay during a study tour. Later he joined FTII first as a student and then as professor.

“His works like Ankur, Nishant and Bhumika shaped our generation. His realistic drama Ankur (1973) brought him fame and introduced Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag, earning several national awards,” he added.

Atharva Malpote, a film enthusiast and student of filmmaking at FTII, spoke of Benegal as his inspiration. He said, “Shyam Benegal is my ultimate inspiration in the world of cinema. The way he approached filmmaking was nothing short of revolutionary. He was strict and disciplined. When it came to his craft, ensuring every detail was perfect, yet he was also kind, soft-hearted, and incredibly empathetic. That combination of professionalism and humanity is what makes him so extraordinary. His unique techniques, whether in storytelling, direction, or collaboration with actors, set him apart from everyone else. He didn’t just make films, he built legacies and touched lives.”

Shyam Benegal (December 14, 1934 – December 23, 2024), a revered figure in Indian cinema, passed away at the age of 90. A trailblazer of parallel 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, alongside the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his contributions to the arts.