Most likely you already know that Shyam Benegal is no more. You should also know that with him an era has ended. He waited to go till he met many of his loved ones on his 90th birthday, just a week ago. Sadly I wasn’t in town so missed that last smile, hug and warmth. What I want to share is what a wonderful human being he was. I spent last 2 hours talking about him to some of the people who knew him well. We mourned only for a bit as we didn’t want to be selfish. He lived a full life, and just when his health began to suffer more, he left to rest in peace. All we talked about was how kind and generous he was. How present he was with everyone he met. Always making us feel special. Always responded to emails and messages. Memories of so many interactions with him came flashing back. Just 2 days after Zwigato was streaming on Amazon, he watched it and emailed me with such praise and encouragement. I was one of the million people he cared for. I will miss his laugh, his firm loving hug and his twinkling eyes. I always felt like a student who was eager to learn though he would never claim to be a teacher. His wisdom was effortless. I, like so many others, grew up on his films. They helped us be who we are. They informed us, created empathy and challenged our prejudices. Made us think and feel and care about the world we lived in. He made us better human beings. I am so fortunate to not only have worked with him in Hari Bhari, a lesser known film of his, but also for having known him for more than 3 decades. Shyam babu, as we all lovingly and respectfully called you, you will always be with us through your films, your laughter and your wise and kind words. Pardon my ramble, but want to just be with you and remember so many lovely and lively times I got to spend with you. The world, my world, will never be the same. One doesn’t have to even meet often. Some people’s existence just gives us hope. Your contribution has been immense. A life fully lived. Now you rest.
Most likely you already know that Shyam Benegal is no more. You should also know that with him an era has ended. He waited to go till he met many of his loved ones on his 90th birthday, just a week ago. Sadly I wasn’t in town so missed that last smile, hug and warmth. What I want to share is what a wonderful human being he was. I spent last 2 hours talking about him to some of the people who knew him well. We mourned only for a bit as we didn’t want to be selfish. He lived a full life, and just when his health began to suffer more, he left to rest in peace. All we talked about was how kind and generous he was. How present he was with everyone he met. Always making us feel special. Always responded to emails and messages. Memories of so many interactions with him came flashing back. Just 2 days after Zwigato was streaming on Amazon, he watched it and emailed me with such praise and encouragement. I was one of the million people he cared for. I will miss his laugh, his firm loving hug and his twinkling eyes. I always felt like a student who was eager to learn though he would never claim to be a teacher. His wisdom was effortless. I, like so many others, grew up on his films. They helped us be who we are. They informed us, created empathy and challenged our prejudices. Made us think and feel and care about the world we lived in. He made us better human beings. I am so fortunate to not only have worked with him in Hari Bhari, a lesser known film of his, but also for having known him for more than 3 decades. Shyam babu, as we all lovingly and respectfully called you, you will always be with us through your films, your laughter and your wise and kind words. Pardon my ramble, but want to just be with you and remember so many lovely and lively times I got to spend with you. The world, my world, will never be the same. One doesn’t have to even meet often. Some people’s existence just gives us hope. Your contribution has been immense. A life fully lived. Now you rest.
Most likely you already know that Shyam Benegal is no more. You should also know that with him an era has ended. He waited to go till he met many of his loved ones on his 90th birthday, just a week ago. Sadly I wasn’t in town so missed that last smile, hug and warmth. What I want to share is what a wonderful human being he was. I spent last 2 hours talking about him to some of the people who knew him well. We mourned only for a bit as we didn’t want to be selfish. He lived a full life, and just when his health began to suffer more, he left to rest in peace. All we talked about was how kind and generous he was. How present he was with everyone he met. Always making us feel special. Always responded to emails and messages. Memories of so many interactions with him came flashing back. Just 2 days after Zwigato was streaming on Amazon, he watched it and emailed me with such praise and encouragement. I was one of the million people he cared for. I will miss his laugh, his firm loving hug and his twinkling eyes. I always felt like a student who was eager to learn though he would never claim to be a teacher. His wisdom was effortless. I, like so many others, grew up on his films. They helped us be who we are. They informed us, created empathy and challenged our prejudices. Made us think and feel and care about the world we lived in. He made us better human beings. I am so fortunate to not only have worked with him in Hari Bhari, a lesser known film of his, but also for having known him for more than 3 decades. Shyam babu, as we all lovingly and respectfully called you, you will always be with us through your films, your laughter and your wise and kind words. Pardon my ramble, but want to just be with you and remember so many lovely and lively times I got to spend with you. The world, my world, will never be the same. One doesn’t have to even meet often. Some people’s existence just gives us hope. Your contribution has been immense. A life fully lived. Now you rest.
Janamdin Mubarak, Javed sahab! 80 years and going stronger than ever! You have always made me laugh! And you have generously shared your wit and wisdom, poetry and politics. You even let me direct you in Manto!Shukriya! May you continue doing all that your head and heart desires and make the world a more thoughtful and poetic place. @jaduakhtar
Janamdin Mubarak, Javed sahab! 80 years and going stronger than ever! You have always made me laugh! And you have generously shared your wit and wisdom, poetry and politics. You even let me direct you in Manto!Shukriya! May you continue doing all that your head and heart desires and make the world a more thoughtful and poetic place. @jaduakhtar
Janamdin Mubarak, Javed sahab! 80 years and going stronger than ever! You have always made me laugh! And you have generously shared your wit and wisdom, poetry and politics. You even let me direct you in Manto!Shukriya! May you continue doing all that your head and heart desires and make the world a more thoughtful and poetic place. @jaduakhtar
Janamdin Mubarak, Javed sahab! 80 years and going stronger than ever! You have always made me laugh! And you have generously shared your wit and wisdom, poetry and politics. You even let me direct you in Manto!Shukriya! May you continue doing all that your head and heart desires and make the world a more thoughtful and poetic place. @jaduakhtar
Janamdin Mubarak, Javed sahab! 80 years and going stronger than ever! You have always made me laugh! And you have generously shared your wit and wisdom, poetry and politics. You even let me direct you in Manto!Shukriya! May you continue doing all that your head and heart desires and make the world a more thoughtful and poetic place. @jaduakhtar
Janamdin Mubarak, Javed sahab! 80 years and going stronger than ever! You have always made me laugh! And you have generously shared your wit and wisdom, poetry and politics. You even let me direct you in Manto!Shukriya! May you continue doing all that your head and heart desires and make the world a more thoughtful and poetic place. @jaduakhtar
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
In Allahabad, in December 2024. Near the river, under the sun, with the camel. Posing is just not my thing, but I tried! Hope the year has begun well for you and you are holding on to all things positive despite all that’s going wrong in the world.
I am back in the forest, shooting in the interiors of Andhra, with barely any connectivity. These past few days have been heavy. First the shocking demise of Zakir Hussain, who l had grown up listening to and then had the privilege of working with him on Manto. And then one of my favourite people in the world, Shyam Benegal. Day before, it was writer, Bapsi Sidhwa. Her book Ice Candy man (Cracking India in the US), was made into Deepa Mehta’s Earth (1947 Earth in India). Her kindness and compassion reflected in her words and her presence. I met her many years ago but it remains memorable. And then this morning, the news of the passing of our former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. A man of remarkable intellect, integrity, dignity and restrain, even in the face of crass ridicule. And one didn’t have to know him personally to know that. We are losing a generation that was instinctively kind, dignified and cared about the world, beyond themselves. To name a few, Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha, Kuldip Nayar…personally, I have lost many from that generation, those who have had a profound impact on me. The only way to honour their legacy is to carry their light forward, through our own actions and choices. I am, because so many others
Before you are overwhelmed by greetings, here is ours! With every good wish for 2025…
More of Allahabad (urf Prayagraj) times. Dosti, khana aur thand. Mazaaa! Thanks for this fun clip @samarjodha and to you @kausarmunir for hanging out. All the laughter and chit-chat was priceless. And to you again @tigmanshudhulia for inviting me to your wonderful @bazmevirasat Phir bulana padega!
