All posts tagged: Shyam Benegal

Aparna Sen says she regrets turning down Shyam Benegal for Ankur: ‘We got an actress of Shabana Azmi’s calibre’

Aparna Sen says she regrets turning down Shyam Benegal for Ankur: ‘We got an actress of Shabana Azmi’s calibre’

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Shyam Benegal was a representative voice of the parallel cinema movement that ushered in new aesthetics in the 1970s. His first film, Ankur, received widespread acclaim and marked the acting debut of Shabana Azmi. But did you know that Shabana was not the first choice for the film? Shyam had first offered the film to acclaimed actor Aparna Sen, but she had turned it down. In a new conversation with Straight up with Shree, Aparna revealed why. Aparna Sen shared why she said no to Ankur, which later went to Shabana Azmi. What Aparna said The veteran writer-director shared that her Hindi films were ‘thundering flops’ and she never made those films to become a mainstream heroine. She said, “I was asked and I did it. The money was tempting. I think I needed the money for something or the other and unfortunately the choices that I made were very wrong. The choices in Bengal were very well-made but for Hindi films it was not well made. The films which I didn’t make which I …

This actress made her debut in Bangladeshi film industry with Aashiqui, did several BO hits, worked with Shyam Benegal as…, is now detained because…

This actress made her debut in Bangladeshi film industry with Aashiqui, did several BO hits, worked with Shyam Benegal as…, is now detained because…

Published by Parlour News

This Bangladeshi actress known for her role in a Shyam Benegal directed movie on Shiekh Mujibur Rahamn was arrested at the Dhaka airport. Read on to know who she is. This actress is famous for role as Sheikh Hasina (former Prime Minister of Bangladesh) in a Shyam Benegal directed film on Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. She was recently arrested on the charges of murder in Bangladesh. A Dream Debut She made her debut in the Bangladeshi film industry in 2015 with Aashiqi wherein she starred opposite Indian actor Ankush Hazra. The film had become a commercially hit film due to its romance drama combo. Shocking Arrest Bangladeshi Actress Nusraat Faria on Sunday evening was detained over her alleged involvement in an attempted murder. It is reportedly linked to the anti-government protests in Bangladesh. Arrested In Dhaka The actress was arrested at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport immigration checkpoint. She was on her way to Thailand. An arrest warrant for her was issued in the past. Gained Popularity For Her Films Popularly known for her roles in …

Habitat Film Festival to pay tribute to Shyam Benegal, Manoj Kumar, Raj Kapoor and others | Bollywood

Habitat Film Festival to pay tribute to Shyam Benegal, Manoj Kumar, Raj Kapoor and others | Bollywood

Published by Parlour News

New Delhi, The 17th edition of the Habitat Film Festival will pay tribute to industry stalwarts like Shyam Benegal, Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Talat Mahmood, and Aruna Vasudev. Habitat Film Festival to pay tribute to Shyam Benegal, Manoj Kumar, Raj Kapoor and others Apart from a retrospective of Benegal, screenings of NETPAC award winning films, and Manoj Kumar’s iconic film “Upkar”, the film festival will showcase films in 24 Indian languages across themes of social issues that affect Indian society. The festival will begin on May 16 with a tribute to Raj Kapoor through a vibrant dastangoi performance “Dastan-e-Raj Kapoor”, directed by Mahmood Farooqui, and a screening of his iconic film “Awaara”. An exhibition of posters of the art of the legendary filmmaker’s cinema, and a screening of a documentary on Raj Kapoor, directed by Siddharth Kak, will also mark his birth centenary year. “Our Festival this year is significant for a host of reasons. It’s the 20th year since we began, . We mourn the loss of some who have been an …

‘I became a surrogate Smita Patil to her parents,’ claims Shabana Azmi; confesses she regrets saying ‘uncharitable’ things about her

‘I became a surrogate Smita Patil to her parents,’ claims Shabana Azmi; confesses she regrets saying ‘uncharitable’ things about her

Published by Parlour News

Years after their celebrated work together in Indian parallel cinema, Shabana Azmi has opened up about her strained relationship with late actor Smita Patil, expressing regret over things said and left unsaid. Despite being hailed as two of the finest performers of their time, Shabana and Smita were often caught in what Shabana now calls an “inherent rivalry”—something that was never truly resolved. In a recent conversation with Filmfare, Shabana acknowledged the complex dynamic that existed between them. While some might assume the press created tension for dramatic effect, she made it clear that their rivalry had roots beyond media speculation. There were efforts, though, to bridge the gap. Both Javed Akhtar, Shabana’s husband, and actor Raj Babbar—who was married to Smita—tried to bring the two together. But it didn’t work. “They wanted us to bury the hatchet,” she admitted, but said the relationship was never fully mended. Over the years, whispers of professional competition between the two icons made headlines. It was believed that Smita had missed out on roles because of Shabana, a …

Amol Palekar recalls being ‘ordered’ to slap Smita Patil without her consent during Bhumika: ‘She hugged me, cried’ | Bollywood

Amol Palekar recalls being ‘ordered’ to slap Smita Patil without her consent during Bhumika: ‘She hugged me, cried’ | Bollywood

Published by Parlour News

Amol Palekar recently attended the Jaipur Literature Festival 2025, where he recalled an incident of slapping his co-star Smita Patil without her consent during the filming of Shyam Benegal’s film Bhumika. The actor revealed that he apologised to Smita after the scene. Amol Palekar recalls slapping Smita Patil without her consent during Bhumika. (Also Read: I was not what a hero is supposed to be and people loved that: Amol Palekar) Amol Palekar on slapping Smita Patil When asked whether his theatre background influenced the moment when he slapped Smita in the take, Amol partially agreed and explained that he does not believe in performing unrehearsed scenes and prefers to communicate everything with his co-star. He then recounted, “During the making of Bhumika, we were shooting a crucial scene, but Shyam was not satisfied with the result. He felt I was not being violent enough. Just before the take, he called me aside and said, ‘Amol, slap her.’ I agreed but insisted on rehearsing it with Smita. However, Shyam refused. He asked me to slap …

Parliament pays tribute to Manmohan Singh, James Carter, Kumbh stampede victims | Latest News India

Parliament pays tribute to Manmohan Singh, James Carter, Kumbh stampede victims | Latest News India

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New Delhi: The Budget session of Parliament commenced on Friday with tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, former US President James Earl Carter Jr., veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, and other notable figures. The session also expressed sorrow over the recent stampede at the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. President Droupadi Murmu before addressing both Houses of Parliament on Friday (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu, while addressing the joint sitting of Parliament, paid tribute to Singh, acknowledging his long tenure as Prime Minister and his decade-long service to the nation. “A few days ago, we lost the former Prime Minister of the country, Manmohan Singhji. He served the nation as Prime Minister for ten years and was a long-time member of Parliament. I offer my heartfelt tribute to Manmohan Singhji,” President Murmu said. Commemorating Singh’s role in India’s economic reforms in the 1990s and noting the impact of his leadership, Rajya Sabha chairman and vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “Apart from his contribution as an economic thinker and philosopher, he will always be remembered for …

Doordarshan To Screen Manthan As A Tribute To Legendary Director Shyam Benegal | When To Watch

Doordarshan To Screen Manthan As A Tribute To Legendary Director Shyam Benegal | When To Watch

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Last Updated:December 31, 2024, 18:33 IST The 1976 classic, restored by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) for its premiere at the Cannes Classic section earlier this year, will air on Doordarshan. Shyam Benegal died on December 23. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Doordarshan announced it will welcome the new year with a special screening of the 4K restored version of Shyam Benegal’s Manthan as a tribute to the legendary filmmaker, who passed away on December 23 at the age of 90 due to chronic kidney disease. The 1976 classic, restored by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) for its premiere at the Cannes Classic section earlier this year, will air on Doordarshan on January 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. FHF shared the update on its official X page, acknowledging support from the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (Amul) for the restoration. Shyam Benegal’s Manthan (1976) is a classic inspired by Dr. Verghese Kurien’s White Revolution, which transformed India into a global milk leader. The film follows a young veterinary doctor, played by Girish Karnad, who helps rural farmers …

Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi fondly remember Shyam Benegal at his memorial meet

Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi fondly remember Shyam Benegal at his memorial meet

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Mumbai, Days after filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away, his actor friends Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah on Saturday fondly recalled his “wide, warm smile” and how he stayed true in his pursuit as a creative person. Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi fondly remember Shyam Benegal at his memorial meet At a memorial service at Y B Chavan Centre in south Mumbai, several film industry people, including Azmi, Shah, Javed Akhtar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Ila Arun, Prahlad Kakkar, Urmila Matondkar, Divya Dutta, gathered to honour Benegal. “The first image I’ve of Shyam Benegal was in 1973 and what struck me about him the most was his wide, warm smile as I went to visit him at ASP office where he was the creative director and was looking for cast for ‘Ankur’. “The last image I’ve of Shyam was on December 14, 2024, when he, Nira and Pia had organised a celebration for his 90th birthday. After spending a beautiful hour with us, he was whisked away with that same warm wide smile,” Azmi said. The filmmaker passed away …

Boman Irani: My trip to London with Shyam Benegal ji is among my fondest memories

Boman Irani: My trip to London with Shyam Benegal ji is among my fondest memories

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Dec 27, 2024 08:56 PM IST Actor Boman Irani, who worked in Well Done Abba directed by Shyam Benegal, remembers the late filmmaker. Filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who passed away in Mumbai on December 23 at 90, was a pioneering figure in the parallel cinema movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his realistic depictions of societal issues, Benegal’s work left a lasting impact on Indian cinema. Boman Irani and Shyam Benegal Actor Boman Irani, who worked with him on the film Well Done Abba in 2009, shares that some of his life’s fondest memories have been with Benegal. Also read: Amitabh Bachchan pays tribute to Shyam Benegal: ‘We have lost another stalwart of film industry’ “I have never left a film set in my life sobbing. I did, from this one shamelessly. I had to be consoled. I knew I would never get such an experience again. I learnt a lot and found a wonderful man who was one of the greatest conversationalists that I know. I am not even exaggerating! From the design …

Javed Akhtar on Shyam Benegal: He was a colossus and stalwart – Exclusive

Javed Akhtar on Shyam Benegal: He was a colossus and stalwart – Exclusive

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Javed Akhtar is heartbroken that his friend, collaborator and someone he considered a stalwart and colossus is no more. The passing away of Shyam Benegal has left the master wordsmith at a loss for words. Their association was beyond the three films they worked on together. Shyam Benegal had given Javed Akhtar’s better half, Shabana Azmi her first break in 1974. In Javed saab’s own words… I’m truly at a loss when a colossus like Shyam babu passes away. He was a stalwart in the true sense when it came to films. He was the father of parallel cinema. His filmmaking spawned and inspired an entire generation of young filmmakers with different voices. Look at his body of work. It’s fifty years since Ankur (1974) to his latest film Mujib: The Making Of A Nation (2023). Even at the age of 90 he was writing yet another script.  I’ve had several discussions with him on so many topics and may or may not have agreed with him but I’ve found him astute in his observations. …