Shyam Benegal, regarded as one of India’s finest filmmakers, left behind a remarkable legacy of cinematic brilliance. The veteran director passed away at the age of 90 in December. Known for classics like Manthan, Nishant, Ankur, and Bhumika, his films earned him numerous National Awards.
Among his illustrious works, Benegal fondly recalled the 1983 release Mandi as the most enjoyable to shoot. Featuring stellar performances by Shabana Azmi, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Smita Patil, the film not only resonated with audiences but also emerged as a box-office success.
“I made films which….”: Shyam Benegal
In a November 2024 interview on Unfiltered with Samdish, Shyam Benegal shared insights into the making of his 1983 classic Mandi. Reflecting on his approach to filmmaking, he said, “I made films which I wanted to make. I never thought of doing something that I wanted to see in theatre going on for 100 weeks or whatever. There was one time when… this film that I made Mandi, many years ago, ran for a silver jubilee.”
Benegal fondly recalled the camaraderie on set and the joy of working with a stellar cast. “Next door, there used to be a cinema there. They all enjoyed themselves making the film. All my favourite actors were there in that film. Amrish [Puri], Om [Puri], Naseeruddin [Shah], Shabana [Azmi], Smita [Patil] was there. I shot that in Hyderabad,” he shared.
Mandi
He further said, “It is funny because we were shooting without thinking. It went on in its own. Once you started it, it went on because these were just wonderful actors. The improvisational capability was just wonderful. I had planned the schedule for like 45 days because I normally shoot continuously without breaks… and we finished the film in 28 days! I said… when the last shot was done, ‘No more? Finished? How terrible!’”
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