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Divya Dutta continues to be reeling from the shock of Shyam Benegal’s dying, simply days after celebrating the veteran filmmaker’s 90th birthday alongside different stars, together with Shabana Azmi. She remembers the event was a joyous one, with Shyam in excessive spirits, mingling and greeting everybody. Now, Divya is struggling to come back to phrases with the truth that the filmmaker is now not with them. Additionally learn: Shyam Benegal dies: Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee and Shekhar Kapur mourn demise of veteran filmmaker, name him ‘legend’
In an interview with Hindustan Occasions, an emotional Divya appears again on the legacy of Shyam, who died on December 23.
On her final assembly with Shyam
Divya met Shyam for the final time throughout his 90th birthday celebration on December 14. It was attended by stars reminiscent of Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapur and Atul Tiwari.
“I’ve innumerable recollections related to Shyam sir. The final was his 90th birthday for positive,” Divya says.
Recalling her final assembly with the filmmaker on his birthday, Divya provides, “It was extra of simply assembly him, absorbing his presence, him smiling and reducing the cake. I keep in mind telling him that I might come to his workplace, and he invited me to the workplace… He was actually comfortable assembly everybody and clicking footage with them. When he went, he was waving out to everybody. Who would know that it will be the final time he waved out”.
Shyam, who made a number of award-winning movies in his profession which embody Ankur, Bhumika, Manthan and Nishant, was affected by persistent kidney illness. He died at a hospital in Mumbai.
On working with Shyam
Divya labored with Shyam on 5 initiatives, together with Welcome to Sajjanpur and Samvidhaan.
“I grew up watching his movies, from Mandi. I had a long-kept dream to work with him which got here true after I met him after Prepare to Pakistan for the primary time. I may barely muster (the braveness) and say, ‘Sir, I need to work with you’. He responded by saying ‘Why do not you come to the workplace tomorrow?’ I by no means knew life was that straightforward as a result of I used to be used to being advised we’ll see,” Divya remembers.
The actor shared that he gave her an opportunity to function in a mission. For the reason that casting was executed, he requested her if she was able to be a part of a dance sequence. Divya choreographed and carried out a folks tune in Shyam Benegal’s 1998 movie Samar.
“I did not know what was in retailer for me. He gave me the duty to choreograph your entire dance sequence. On the primary day, he wished me to open up with everybody as a result of I used to be a shy youngster. After which he requested me to cook dinner with them collectively… Very quickly, Seema Biswas grew to become Seema Didi, and Rajit Kapoor grew to become Raju. I used to be pals with them, and that trickled into my work with them. He used such superb instruments whereas working,” shares the actor, including, “He at all times pushed me to ship my finest”.
Personally, Divya mentions that he held her hand tight when she was coping with the lack of her mom. “He had a knack of simply smiling it by means of. That is how I keep in mind him with a twinkle in his eyes,” she says.
On Shyam’s legacy
Shyam’s movies had been marked by a level of realism and social commentary and helped within the Indian parallel cinema motion within the 1970s and 1980s. He has received a number of Nationwide Awards for films together with, Bhumika: The Function (1977), Junoon (1978), Arohan (1982), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004), Manthan (1976), and Properly Finished Abba (2010).
“He was a real maverick… I’ve by no means met a extra educated particular person. He lived the best way it ought to have been lived. He gave us the most effective of cinema… Shyam babu will at all times have that particular place in our hearts,” confesses Divya.
“What he has executed is unparalleled with the best way he mirrored realities of the society… His legacy will stay on by means of Shyam Benegal cinema,” Divya ends.
