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The Shyam Benegal Chat

Why dio you think Gandhi and his vision died in post-1947 India? Was it because it was not a powerful enough force once India got its freedom? Or did it lack the clarity to be adapted to modern times?

How do you find the financing for your films? Who will finance the projects after Sardari Begum?

Soofee: The film is actually called Sardari Begum. There is adance sequence in the film and it is performed by an actress called Smriti Mishra who plays the younger Sardari Begum in the film. There is no other dance sequence. The film is being released in November in India and it deals with the life of a Thumri singer.

How do you find the themes to make films? Can I send you a script?

Mr Benegal: Why films like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Hum Aap ke Hai Kaun do well?

I read an article on Smriti Mishra on Rediff. How good is she as an actress?

I read an article on Smriti Mishra on Rediff. How good is she as an actress?

Has Amitabh Bachchan's corporation asked you to make a film? Has he ever expressed a desire to work with you? Do you think he lacks the guts to work in films made by people like you?

Mr. Benegal, I have read numourous film reviews of commercial Fiilms by Khalid Mhd. when I lived in India. How is his story which you are making the film on? any different from Commercial a film story.

BBK Karnad: I believe deifying Gandhi is a mistake. If we see him in a human dimension his influence would be far greater. The guiding principle of our cnstitution are based entirely on Gandhian principles. It would therefore be wrong to consider that he no longer has power to influence us today.

I heard you will make a film on Gurcharan Das's novel. Who will star in it? It has a very Trikaalish feel?

Michelle: Smriti Mishra is a very talented actress and she should go far.

Mr Benegal: Can you give some example in what way Gandhi's principle influence us today? In short, can you give your own example what principles of Gandhiji you observe?

Kamath: There is some talk of doing the book as a television series - not a film.

Kamath: Your guess is as good as mine.

Why don't you make political films? I thought someone with an intellect as fine as yours would dissect the political scenario with greater finesse than all these idiots in Bollywood.

Michelle: I don't like the words paralell cinema. It does not define anything there are only good and bad films. And as always there are more bad films and less good films. There is a great deal more work in television today than in the cinema. And that is why you see so many well known actors on television.

Does that mean Shyam Benegal won't make movies anymore? Will it be a series for Star?

Thanks for answering Mr. Benegal. I meant help by her in choreography.Mr Benegal I have always wondered about the commercial sustainance of Art cinema in India. Do all art films self support themselves?

Madhavan: Manyof my films are political in a tangential sort of way. To make a directly political film would be like sloganeering which I do not think serves any kind of real purpose except as a means to let off steam.

What changes do you see coming in India in the next ten years? I India, sir, not in filmdom.

Mr Benegal, what are your interests besides film making?

Shyam, what has been the most satisfying film you have made so far?

Kamath: No such thing. A filmmaker continues tgo make films one way or the other.

Soofee: Not all small budget films and films of presonal expression can cover their costs by a theatrical release. They need television to cover their costs.

I have just received e-mail saying that the Mahatma film is being yanked off theatres in Bombay. Is that true?

Although we have seen some of our actors star in Hollywood movies, when can we expect a Director to do so ?

Mr. Benegal who would you call a successful film maker?

Shyam, I believe a human being has to take a stand one way or the other. You may not make political films, but your films convey your ingtent. Ideologically, I believe you are left of centre. Is that correct? Is that hue still fashionable in India? I believe the colour au courrant was saffron.

Shyam, what is the reason for some much of obscenity and rubbishness in most of the movies in the past few years. Why movies like PYASA, SARASWATI CHANDRA, MOTHER INDIA, NEEL KAMAL etc. are no longer produced. Do you think there are insufficient no. of people willing to see such movie ?

Has your cousin Guru Dutt any influence on your film-making?

Madhavan: The present journey that is going on in the country should actually help in creating a more equitable society in the long run.

Michelle: My vocation is film making my other intersts include literature and music and differnt sciences. Also politics but not to practise but to understand the nature of it.

Shyam, who is the best actor/actress you have worked with?

That's an interesting response. An elaboration would be greatly appreciated.

Kamath: The film hasn't been doing terribly well in the cinemas. It is expected that the film will be released gain after the festival season when cineam going becomes much more intense than it is just before and during the festival.

Hi Mr Benegal, lucky to have caught you. Which is your film maker?

Do you think audiences in India are too unsophisticated to appreciate films like the ones you make.

Sorry, the question actually was which is your fav film?

Shyam, where do you think the Indian film industry is heading towards? What is the state of the industry you foresee 10-20 years from now?

When a film on the Mahatma does not do well, I guess that is a startling comment on the state of affairs in India.

Raj: There are sevreal . I will not elaborate on this since if by chance I have forgotten to name one or tow of them it would lead to unnessacary misunderstandings.

Shyam, where do you think the Indian film industry is heading towards? What is the state of the industry you foresee 10-20 years from now?

Someone who saw the film on the Mahatma and communicated to a friend that you are way behind the times in the film was made. What he meant was that you are in a time warp and that your work needs to develop. Do you agree with such a criticism?

Shyam, you still haven't answered many of my questions. Please do.

I second BK's request for my questions.

Has Dickie Attenborough seen your film? What did you learn about the Mahatma's evolution in South Africa? What converted this genial man into a leader of men? One of the greatest there has been in this time or another time.

What shoud the film industry do to face the existing and future stiff competition from the cable TVs?

Kamath.. Mahatma... may not be doing well in India may be because Mr. Benegal Has Portrayed Gandhi as he was , Secularist that is and in India no one cares for secularism today. And B K Karnad is right when he says the colour of the day in India is Saffron.. . Every one knows who killed Gandhi.

Shyam, Thanks for answering my question. I hope yoy would answer to other questions as well.

Soofee, where are you from?

Kamath: I would not like to charactersie our audiences as unsophisticated. Our film makers have treated them that way over a ver long period of time. They have been coditioned for the last 40 or more years by films that are infantile, suggesting that the characters who people our films are generally idiots or barely intelligent.

Rami: I have several fav film makers and a fairly large number of fabv films accumalated over a long period of time. The numbers would be too large to mention here. Chaplin, Orson Welles, Satyajit Ray, Kurusawa, Fellini, De Sica, john Ford, John Huston, Coppola, Scorsese, Tarkovsky , and several othesrs.

Raj, from Planet Earth!!!

Shyam Hav Visru Naka

How do you go about choosing new faces for your movies? How should one approach you to find out the possibility of getting a break in your movies?

Mr Benegal do you have any dream project..a film an idea forming somewhere in your mind..that you can forsee as your best endeavour?

Mr.B: Who are the Indian directors both contemprory and past?

Soofee, its great to know that you are from earth (and not from Marsh)

Kamath: For my answer to that you would have to see the film. I hope you will get an oppurtunity to do so. I don't knwo wether has seen the film yet, the film is yet to be released in UK it is expected to open in winter.

<>STRONG>Mr Benegal will take two more questions.

How do you go about choosing new faces for your movies? How should one approach you to find out the possibility of getting a break in your movies?

Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).

Raj: I chose my actors according to the characters and roles I have in my films. They are chosen for their talent, ability, discipline and presence.

Mr. Benegal Have seen "Natural Born Killers" and "Pulp Fiction"? If yes what is your reaction to that? Also what do you think of plagirism in Hindi cinema ( Mostly from Hollywood)????

Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).

Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).

Soofee: I've seen Pulp Fiction. It is extremely well made and has to be taken in the right spirit and not literally. I have not seen Natural Born Killers. I think plagarism in any form is despicable.

Raj, Just migrate. There is no Mr. Benegal there. Only couple of Rajs.

Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).

Thank you very very much Mr. Benagle.

Shyam, thank you very much for your intelligent and interesting comments/answers.

Shyam, I am mosgt disappointed that you did not answer my questions. Please take at least one of them. For Aamchi gele's sakes!

Ramui: Every new film I make is designed as a film on which I will do my best. I've many dream projects and hope that I will someday be able to make atleast one or tow of them. A constraint always is that of fianace.

Thank you Mr Benegal, it was wonderful speaking with you. All the best for all your coming ventures.

Shyam, thank you very much for your intelligent and interesting comments/answers.

Good thing Mr. Benegal does not believe in Amci gele(s).

Thank you very much . All of you. Will probably talk to you again when I can find a little time. It was fun chatting with you all. Bye for now.

Karnad: Will practice my Amchi Geli with you some more next time.

Mr Benegal, Many thanks for appearing on the Rediff Chat. I hope you found the experience interesting and we look forward to having you with us again.

Bye Mr. Benegal, Raj, Nikhil and Mr.Karnad offcourse.

Shyam, Which do you rate as your best movie ? and what is your definition of an :art" movie / 'Commercial' movie ?

Hai Mr Shyam, This is Shaji from Kuwait. First of all let me congradu;ate you for picture about Mahatma.

Hi Shaji, Mr benegal has already left.

What persuaded you for making that picture which I could'nt see so far. shaji Kuwait

Whew! got through at last! but too late. Didn't get connected for almost 1.5hrs. Sorry I missed the great man.

Whew! got through at last! but too late. Didn't get connected for almost 1.5hrs. Sorry I missed the great man.