Zoya Akhtar Pays Tribute To Shyam Benegal With Iconic Cannes 1976 Throwback, Bonus – Shabana Azmi

Last Updated:December 24, 2024, 13:28 IST

The duo, with Smita Patil, was there for the screening of Nishant, a film directed by Benegal, which was selected to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes that year.

Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, known as a pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 90. He had been struggling with a chronic kidney-related illness and took his final breath around 6:30 PM at Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital, as confirmed by his daughter, Pia Benegal, to India Today. The news of his passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the film industry.

Director Zoya Akhtar shared her respects by posting a memorable black-and-white photo of Benegal alongside actresses Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi from the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. The image captures the trio smiling together with Smita and Shabana dressed in sarees and Benegal in a shirt and trousers. The three were there for the screening of Nishant, a film directed by Benegal, which was selected to compete for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes that year. Alongside Shabana and Smita, the film ensemble included Girish Karnad, Amrish Puri, Mohan Agashe, Anant Nag, Sadhu Meher and Naseeruddin Shah.

Along with the picture, Zoya wrote a heartfelt message, “The OG. Mr. Benegal. Cannes 1976 with his film Nishant. With him were the two leading ladies he had introduced to the screen, Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi. RIP Sir. Thank You For The New Wave. Thank You For The Films.”

Take a look here:

Azmi has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Benegal, who played an important role in her career. Azmi considered him a mentor who not only shaped her approach to acting but also influenced her views on life.

Benegal gave Azmi her first major acting opportunity in his debut film, Ankur, which dealt with themes like caste, class, and the struggles of rural women. Their collaboration continued through several other films, including Nishant (1975), Junoon (1978), Susman (1978) and Antarnaad (1992).

“Shyam Benegal has been my guru in everything, not just in acting but in the way I view the world. When I went abroad for Ankur with him to the Berlin Film Festival, as a young kid with stars in my eyes, I wanted to run to the first shopping place. But he asked all kinds of questions to the taxi driver; he wanted to know about the garden and the history,” Azmi said in a recent interview with PTI.

Azmi described Benegal as a “progressive” and “well-informed” filmmaker who opened her eyes to new perspectives. “When we went to the (Berlin) festival, he would say, ‘Let’s watch this film for this reason’. So he was like a guru to me,” she added.

Azmi had just celebrated Benegal’s 90th birthday on December 14, just nine days before his death.