Aisi Shaam jiski koi subah nahi.. ( It’s evening… an evening which has no morning… ) We lost Shyam Benegal (14 December 1934 – 23 December 2024 ) yesterday. He was an Indian film director, screenwriter & documentary filmmaker.
Often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema, he is widely considered as one of the greatest filmmakers post 1970s. He has 18 National awards, a Film fare award & a Nandi award.
He started his career as copywriter , he made his first Documentary film in Gujarati, Ghar Betha Ganga (Ganges at the door step) in 1962.
In 2005, he was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in the field of cinema. In 1976, he was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India, the fourth highest civilian honor of the country. In 1991, he was awarded with Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honor for his contributions in the field of arts.
His first four feature films- Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976)and Bhumika (1977) made him a pioneer of the new wave film movement of that period.
Benegal’ s ‘Muslim Women Trilogy’ films Mammo (1994),Sardari Begum (1996) & Zubeidaa (2001) all won National Film Awards for Best feature film in Hindi. He has won National best feature film award in Hindi seven times.
He was awarded the V. Shantaram Lifetime award in 2018.
In his 90 year long career he brought to lime light so many talented actors. His direction was a Midas touch. Every film of his was a master’s piece. Looking up at his profile, I wonder if his cousin, Guru Dutt, had lived longer & we could have seen them working together!
They excelled in emoting part & the camera angle. The light & shadows have a major role. Watch any one of his films, Manthan or Bhumika. Shabana & Smita are born actresses but his direction made their performances shine!
Phir woh shyam na hogi, phir hamari mulaquat na hogi
The evening won’t come again, our meeting will not happen again.
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