Entertainment News Desk – Shyam Benegal is known as a filmmaker whose films present the reality and truth of the society. Just this year he made a comeback on the big screen with the film ‘Mujeeb’. Born on 14 December 1934 in Trimulgheri (now Hyderabad), Secunderabad, Shyam Benegal was one of the leading directors of parallel cinema. Shyam Benegal has been honored with many awards for his outstanding contribution to cinema, including 18 National Awards, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Shyam Benegal judges actors very well, he has launched many stars like Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah through his films. Let us know which other actors apart from these veteran stars, Shyam Benegal has given break in his films.
Shabana Azmi
Shyam Benegal launched Shabana Azmi in Hindi cinema through the 1974 film ‘Ankur’, although Shabana Azmi was not the first choice for this film. Many leading actresses of that time refused to work in the film. The film was a huge success with critics and Shabana Azmi received the National Award for Best Actress for this film. Apart from ‘Ankur’, Shabana Azmi has done many films of Shyam Benegal like ‘Nishant’, ‘Mandi’, ‘Antargyan’, ‘Hari Bhari’.
Smita Patil
Shyam Benegal gave Smita Patil a chance to play a small role in the 1975 film ‘Charandas Chor’. Shyam Benegal was very impressed with Smita Patil’s work in this film and he launched Smita Patil as the film’s heroine in ‘Nishant’ in the same year. Apart from ‘Nishant’, Smita Patil had worked in many films of Shyam Benegal like ‘Manthan’, ‘Bhumika’, ‘Mandi’. Smita Patil was also honored with the ‘National Film Award’ in 1978 for her strong performance in ‘Bhumika’.
Naseeruddin Shah
Actually, Naseeruddin Shah started his career in the year 1967 with the film ‘Aman’. Naseeruddin Shah did a small role in this film and after that he started doing small roles in films. But he got his right opportunity in 1975 in Shyam Benegal’s film ‘Nishant’. Naseeruddin Shah played an important role in this film. After this film, Naseeruddin Shah worked in many films of Shyam Benegal like ‘Manthan’, ‘Bhumika’, ‘Trikal’, ‘Junoon’ and ‘Mandi’. Naseeruddin Shah’s work in all these films was highly appreciated.
Dalip Tahil
Shyam Benegal saw Dilip Tahil in theater and gave him a chance to work in ‘Ankur’. Dalip Tahil had a big role in this film, but when he went to watch the film on premium, he was shocked because his role was limited to only one scene. When he asked questions to Shyam Benegal, he came to know that the length of the film had increased so the scene had to be edited. After this film, Dalip Tahil never got a chance to work with Shyam Benegal again and later he became more busy in commercial films.
