Friday, March 9, 2007

Shyam Benegal

The Shyam Benegal Chat

Whether it was the Husain issue or the manner in which his films were denied a proper theatrical release, Shyam Benegal was frank and full of insight.
The director -- whose latest film The Making of the Mahatma chronicles the transformation of M K Gandhi from genial lawyer to the most extraordinary leader of men this century has known -- walked into our office half an hour before the Chat, and then settled down to acquaint himself with the wonders of the Net.

He has promised to be back sometime soon.


p alex (Wed Oct 9 09:52:18 1996 IST):

Is Mr Benegal in?



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Nikhil Lakshman (Wed Oct 9 09:54:01 1996 IST):
Good Morning, Mr Benegal. It is wonderful to have you on the Rediff Chat. It is very kind of you to find time to chat. We hope you enjoy the experience.



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Nidhi (Wed Oct 9 09:55:34 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, how did you get the idea to make the film 'Making of the Mahatma'



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sparky (Wed Oct 9 09:55:45 1996 IST):
Hi everyone.



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Nidhi (Wed Oct 9 09:56:42 1996 IST):
Hey, Mr Lakshman, where is Mr Benegal?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 09:57:12 1996 IST):
Shyam, kashe aas tu? Hoshar aasve? It's good to speak some aamchi gele. Mine's very rusty though, as I am sure your's is. Good to chat with you this morning. So what vare you up to these days? From the write-up, I believe you made a film on Gandhiji. Do you believe you can hontesly better Gandhi by Attenborough?



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 09:57:48 1996 IST):
Hi Mr Benegal, what was the response to your latest film -Making of the Mahatma?



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 09:59:04 1996 IST):
What other films are you working on now?



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 09:59:07 1996 IST):
Hello Mr.Benegal, What are your views on Gandhiji's vegetarianism?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 09:59:33 1996 IST):
Hi Nidhi: Professor Fatmia Meer a sociologist from South Africa wrote a book called 'The Apprenticeship of a Mahatma' this dealt with 21 years that Gandhi spend in South Africa a most crucial period in his life that lead to his personal transformation, as well as helped him to create his philosophy. It seemed like a very exciting story to tell on film.



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:00:09 1996 IST):
Good morning, Mr Benegal. How you doing this evening, or should that be this morning? When I lived in India I used to see a lot of art films. Now I hear the movement is dead. Why? Does the NFDC not bankroll good films anymore? Have they gone the way of other government organisations?



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sparky (Wed Oct 9 10:00:40 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal, which, in your opinion, is the best film that's ever been made?



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Nidhi (Wed Oct 9 10:00:57 1996 IST):
Thanks Mr Benegal for replying my question.



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:01:05 1996 IST):
Mr.Benegal Will you ever consider making a film with Amitabh Bachchan provided money and time are not constraints for him and you?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:01:22 1996 IST):
It's been what 23 years since Ankur. You have made some good films, some awful filmns. Which film have you found deeply satisfying?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:01:47 1996 IST):
B K Karnad: Hanv Hushar assa. It's not a competition between me and Attenborough. His story primarily deals with the Mahatma taking India to freedom. My story is about Gandhi's personal transformation.



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 10:01:56 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, I'm just curious to know how you select subjects for your films?



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 10:01:57 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, I'm just curious to know how you select subjects for your films?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:02:17 1996 IST):
Hell Sekhar: The answer is yes.



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B Ram Gopal (Wed Oct 9 10:03:06 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, Good Day. Why do film-makers like your goodself portray such a depressing view of India? is there nothing upbeat in your vision of our country?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:03:13 1996 IST):
Bharat D: Part instinct, part inspiration, part concern, part subject matter.



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:03:14 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal,What according to you is the quality of the Mahatma that made him stand out among a galaxy of world class leaders?



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:03:44 1996 IST):
Adoor Gopalakrishnan, rather than you, has grabbed Ray's mantle. How come you lost out?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:04:23 1996 IST):
Dear Ram Gopal: You have not seen enough of my films. I'm a natural optimist, there is nothing depressing in either my films or my own make-up.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:05:06 1996 IST):
Dear Madhavan: I didn't know that Adoor and I were running a race.



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 10:05:15 1996 IST):
You've worked with many good performers on the Indian screen, who are the ones you would rate as excellent?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:05:19 1996 IST):
Thank you, Shyam. Good to know you haven't forgotten your roots as yet! You will be 62, this December. Do you feel satisfied with the way you have led your life. What has been the greatest disappointment in your life?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:06:09 1996 IST):
Sekhar: Transperancy, honesty and unrelenting seeking for social justice and an iron will.



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Raghunath (Wed Oct 9 10:06:11 1996 IST):
Which film would you rate as your best film ?



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Nidhi (Wed Oct 9 10:06:55 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal do you agree with the fact that all the people associated with films are hypocrties. They just put a question mark to the society by making films. Instead of doing some ground level work? Why don't you join politics and become Mahatma of the 21st century?



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:07:00 1996 IST):
Mr.Benegal,I read in "THE HINDU " a few months back that Gandhiji used to lie alongside naked women to test his powers of "BRAHMACHARYA".Do you think that this info is true and if yes what are yoiur opinions?



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 10:07:47 1996 IST):
What are the frustrations faced by directors like you while making films in India?



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:08:10 1996 IST):
Why is that your films don't get a proper theatrical release anymore? I think Mandi was the last film that got the release it deserved. I was in India for sometime these last three years and I could not get even one of your films. Not Satvan ka Ghoda. Not the one that Khalid Mohammad wrote. What's going on? Is it because there's no audience for your kind of films? Or is the thetrical circuit controlled by the Bollywood types?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:08:33 1996 IST):
BK Karnad: I don't think in terms of dissapointments because there are bound to be many dissapointments in ones life . My greatest satisfaction comes from the fact that whatever work I've done has been done to the best of my ability, even if the work sometimes turned out to be mediocre.



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Bharat D (Wed Oct 9 10:09:12 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, what is the next film that you are working on?



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:09:48 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal, when i was in India i use to watch all kinds of films (parellel and commercial), but one thing always came to my mind films are for the people, then why is that ur kind of films only appeal to a small section of people and not the masses?



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B Ram Gopal (Wed Oct 9 10:09:57 1996 IST):
I disagree, Mr Benegal, but I will let that pass. I don't dispute your calibre as a fil-maker. You are up in the pantheon, but I feel too many of your arty types make these kind of films to win awards? Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Aravindan, those Bengali types.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:10:03 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal, I had an opportunity to see your "SURAJ..." in Vancouver FF in 93. And on this sunday I saw your "MAHATMA..." at The FF. Though this time we wre not fortunate to see you in person. Colud you have Visited Vancouver this season? I loved both the films. With suraj I felt as if I was reading Dr. Bharti"s book and Mahatma was very eye oppening for me. The show was a sold out on both the days. I could not get ticket on friday and had to go back to see it on sunay. Thanks for such a marvalouse tret Mr Benagal



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Raghunath (Wed Oct 9 10:10:25 1996 IST):
Mr.Benegal, which film would you rate as the one with the least number of mistakes.



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:11:01 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal,You havnt answered my question on the Mahatmas experiments with brahmacharya?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:11:25 1996 IST):
Do you watch conventional Hindi cinema? re there any directors that you admire? Is there any Hindi film you have seen in the recent past that has impressed you with its content?



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Raghunath (Wed Oct 9 10:12:13 1996 IST):
Mr.Benegal, which film of yours would you rate as the one with the least number of mistakes.



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:12:41 1996 IST):
Mr B, I just read that there is a controversy about Husain in Mumbai. What do you attribute for this fanaticism that has crept into Indian society? Having made a film on the Mahatma, do you think his message, his credo has been consigned to the dustbin of Indian history?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:12:46 1996 IST):
J Madhavan: The theartrical curcuit is controlled by cartels. There are demands for full rentals in advance. It is with great difficulty that small budget pictures get any kind of distribution in the present setup. It's easier to get on to television, which is precisely what happpened with my last three films after a very limited release.



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:13:36 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal u have not answered my question , can u tell me why is this gap betweeen parllel and commercial?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:13:48 1996 IST):
Madhavan, I agree. I believe idealism lies in us Indians abroad. Wheneve I go home, I am taken aback by the cynicism, the shallowness that exists in Indian society. Do you agree with me, Shyam?



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:14:00 1996 IST):
Mr.Benegal,I think that the Mahatmas biggest quality was that he left behind a number of leaders who would carry on his work.I mean his personality never stifled leadership qualities in others.What do you think?



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:15:23 1996 IST):
Hello Mr Benegal, it is a pleasure to be talking to you. I know your film Making of the Mahatma has been released, what will your next film be?



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:15:23 1996 IST):
Hello Mr Benegal, it is a pleasure to be talking to you. I know your film Making of the Mahatma has been released, what will your next film be?



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:15:35 1996 IST):
How has the Mahatma film done? Why don't you release your films on Star? If Bachchan can get his films on the Star netowrk, why not your films which are so wellk crafted?



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:15:38 1996 IST):
Mr. benegal please answer my question



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:15:52 1996 IST):
Mr. B,Please give us a sketch of Smita Patil as a person.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:17:24 1996 IST):
Madhavan: Political parties seem to think that the most potent motivating symbols are religious ones, they use this for their own purposes - in this case elections in Uttar PPradesh by elections in Maharashtra and Mdhya Pradesh and so on . Hussain has now been made a convinient target. The cynism that is behind actions like these is terrible,. But I believe that this is temporary and Gandhi, since reprents some of the most fundamental of ideas that guide our people will make a return.



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:17:27 1996 IST):
Who according to you are the best actors/actresses on the Indian screen?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:17:32 1996 IST):
How was it working in South Africa? I believe it is a lawless country? Did you meet Mandela?



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:18:52 1996 IST):
Mr B,What made you cast Rajit kapoor in two of your films-Suraj...and mahatma?



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B Ram Gopal (Wed Oct 9 10:19:09 1996 IST):
Were you an adherent of Gandhi's philosophy or did you just make this film because it came your way? I believe you are now working with Jabbar Patel on a film on Ambeadkar?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:19:40 1996 IST):
Michelle: My next film has already been made it is called Sardari Begum and will be released in India in November .



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:19:47 1996 IST):
What in your opinion has led to India becoming what it is today?



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B Ram Gopal (Wed Oct 9 10:20:33 1996 IST):
Do you plan to retire sometime?



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:21:13 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, who according to you are the other great Indian directors?



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:21:16 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal u have not answered my first ques. but i would like to ask u what do u think about the Indain actresses are ther any good actresses in the conventional cinema too, or our list ends at a few like Smita, Shabana who have featured in most of ur ventures( of late Pallvi Joshi too)



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:21:53 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal some months ago a friend of mine wrote me from Bombay saying that you are working on a film called 'THUMRI" in fact she has done a dance piece in that film. Please tell us more about this film and where i can see this film?



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Raghunath (Wed Oct 9 10:22:05 1996 IST):
i heard that sardari begum has a few steamy scenes



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Naren (Wed Oct 9 10:22:07 1996 IST):
Hello Mr Benegal ? How would you rate Martin Scorcesse and Kurosawa as your peers ?



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Sekhar (Wed Oct 9 10:22:14 1996 IST):
Mr B,How long do you think the present Govt. will last?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:22:27 1996 IST):
Ram Gopal: I was never a concious adherent of Gandhi's philosophy although I was uncounciuosly affected like a lot of our countrymen. I made the film on Gandhi because of how the personal transformation of Gandhi took place. I was a consultant at the script stage on Jabbar Patel's film on Ambedkar. I have no other role to play in that production.



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:23:34 1996 IST):
Good morning, Sir. I am sorry I am late. Are you disenchanted with the way things are in the Hindi film industry? Is there no way out to establish a parallel film circuit? To make ansd show good films. Is there something seriously wrong with the way things are going? I hear there are no film societies in Bombay anymore. Is all this an outcome of liberalisation?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:24:20 1996 IST):
Purvi: Yes there are many excellent actresses in cinema today. Madhuri Dixit, Manisha Koirala, Tabu and several others. They would be an asset to any film.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:24:26 1996 IST):
?????



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:24:56 1996 IST):
By making films like Sardari Begum, are you not shutting your eyes to the reality that is India? why is it that unlike Govind Nihalani you have never made a political film?



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:25:24 1996 IST):
:-(



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:25:29 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal is parallel cinema dead in India? Why is it that actors like Om Puri,Farukh Sheikh,or directors like Kundan Shah are either seen on Indian TV or are not seen at all?



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:27:17 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal: How was your experience in shooting Discovery of India? What made you come in to this project?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:27:23 1996 IST):
A P Kamath: There are many problems that beset cinema today I won't go into the details because it has to do with economics, land values sky rocketing and so many problems that are seemingly unconnected with the cinema. It will take a while before some clarity will emerge. Meanwhile we are presently in a populist mode and must expect films of the kind that are dished out by the industry.



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:27:49 1996 IST):
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?



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:28:51 1996 IST):
How do you find the financing for your films? Who will finance the projects after Sardari Begum?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:30:28 1996 IST):
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.



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:30:39 1996 IST):
How do you find the themes to make films? Can I send you a script?



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:31:19 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal: Why films like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Hum Aap ke Hai Kaun do well?



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:32:25 1996 IST):
I read an article on Smriti Mishra on Rediff. How good is she as an actress?



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:32:25 1996 IST):
I read an article on Smriti Mishra on Rediff. How good is she as an actress?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:32:35 1996 IST):
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?



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:32:43 1996 IST):
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.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:33:36 1996 IST):
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.



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:34:09 1996 IST):
I heard you will make a film on Gurcharan Das's novel. Who will star in it? It has a very Trikaalish feel?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:34:40 1996 IST):
Michelle: Smriti Mishra is a very talented actress and she should go far.



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Purvi Ghosh (Wed Oct 9 10:34:58 1996 IST):
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?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:35:34 1996 IST):
Kamath: There is some talk of doing the book as a television series - not a film.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:36:27 1996 IST):
Kamath: Your guess is as good as mine.



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:37:11 1996 IST):
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.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:38:49 1996 IST):
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.



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:39:14 1996 IST):
Does that mean Shyam Benegal won't make movies anymore? Will it be a series for Star?



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:39:40 1996 IST):
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?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:40:38 1996 IST):
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.



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:40:53 1996 IST):
What changes do you see coming in India in the next ten years? I India, sir, not in filmdom.



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Michelle (Wed Oct 9 10:41:09 1996 IST):
Mr Benegal, what are your interests besides film making?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:41:36 1996 IST):
Shyam, what has been the most satisfying film you have made so far?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:43:14 1996 IST):
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.



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:43:23 1996 IST):
I have just received e-mail saying that the Mahatma film is being yanked off theatres in Bombay. Is that true?



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Naren (Wed Oct 9 10:43:32 1996 IST):
Although we have seen some of our actors star in Hollywood movies, when can we expect a Director to do so ?



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:47:38 1996 IST):
Mr. Benegal who would you call a successful film maker?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:47:49 1996 IST):
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.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 10:48:04 1996 IST):
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 ?



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:48:56 1996 IST):
Has your cousin Guru Dutt any influence on your film-making?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:48:58 1996 IST):
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.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 10:49:47 1996 IST):
Shyam, who is the best actor/actress you have worked with?



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:50:20 1996 IST):
That's an interesting response. An elaboration would be greatly appreciated.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:52:08 1996 IST):
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.



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Rami (Wed Oct 9 10:52:23 1996 IST):
Hi Mr Benegal, lucky to have caught you. Which is your film maker?



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:52:24 1996 IST):
Do you think audiences in India are too unsophisticated to appreciate films like the ones you make.



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Rami (Wed Oct 9 10:53:06 1996 IST):
Sorry, the question actually was which is your fav film?



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 10:53:17 1996 IST):
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?



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:53:44 1996 IST):
When a film on the Mahatma does not do well, I guess that is a startling comment on the state of affairs in India.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 10:54:14 1996 IST):
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.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 10:54:46 1996 IST):
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?



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J Madhavan (Wed Oct 9 10:55:11 1996 IST):
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?



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 10:56:00 1996 IST):
Shyam, you still haven't answered many of my questions. Please do.



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Naren (Wed Oct 9 10:57:09 1996 IST):
I second BK's request for my questions.



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A P Kamath (Wed Oct 9 10:57:36 1996 IST):
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.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 10:57:39 1996 IST):
What shoud the film industry do to face the existing and future stiff competition from the cable TVs?



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 10:58:31 1996 IST):
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.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 10:59:21 1996 IST):
Shyam, Thanks for answering my question. I hope yoy would answer to other questions as well.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:00:27 1996 IST):
Soofee, where are you from?



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:00:54 1996 IST):
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.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 11:01:56 1996 IST):
Raj, from Planet Earth!!!



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B K Karnad (Wed Oct 9 11:02:07 1996 IST):
Shyam Hav Visru Naka



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:02:20 1996 IST):
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?



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Rami (Wed Oct 9 11:02:55 1996 IST):
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?



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prakrut (Wed Oct 9 11:03:27 1996 IST):
Mr.B: Who are the Indian directors both contemprory and past?



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:03:37 1996 IST):
Soofee, its great to know that you are from earth (and not from Marsh)



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:03:41 1996 IST):
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.



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:04:27 1996 IST):
<>STRONG>Mr Benegal will take two more questions.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:04:52 1996 IST):
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?



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:05:44 1996 IST):
Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:06:04 1996 IST):
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.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 11:06:23 1996 IST):
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)????



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:06:56 1996 IST):
Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:07:37 1996 IST):
Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:08:12 1996 IST):
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.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 11:08:14 1996 IST):
Raj, Just migrate. There is no Mr. Benegal there. Only couple of Rajs.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:09:03 1996 IST):
Soofee, it's great to know that you are from Earth (and not from Marsh).



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 11:09:50 1996 IST):
Thank you very very much Mr. Benagle.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:11:05 1996 IST):
Shyam, thank you very much for your intelligent and interesting comments/answers.



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B K Karnad: (Wed Oct 9 11:11:40 1996 IST):
Shyam, I am mosgt disappointed that you did not answer my questions. Please take at least one of them. For Aamchi gele's sakes!



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:11:53 1996 IST):
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.



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Rami (Wed Oct 9 11:11:59 1996 IST):
Thank you Mr Benegal, it was wonderful speaking with you. All the best for all your coming ventures.



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Raj (Wed Oct 9 11:12:52 1996 IST):
Shyam, thank you very much for your intelligent and interesting comments/answers.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 11:13:44 1996 IST):
Good thing Mr. Benegal does not believe in Amci gele(s).



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Shyam Benegal. (Wed Oct 9 11:15:22 1996 IST):
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.



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Nikhil Lakshman: (Wed Oct 9 11:15:50 1996 IST):
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.



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Soofee (Wed Oct 9 11:15:52 1996 IST):
Bye Mr. Benegal, Raj, Nikhil and Mr.Karnad offcourse.



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Padmanabhan (Wed Oct 9 11:24:35 1996 IST):
Shyam, Which do you rate as your best movie ? and what is your definition of an :art" movie / 'Commercial' movie ?



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asgsdahga (Wed Oct 9 11:25:19 1996 IST):
Hai Mr Shyam, This is Shaji from Kuwait. First of all let me congradu;ate you for picture about Mahatma.



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Rami (Wed Oct 9 11:27:16 1996 IST):
Hi Shaji, Mr benegal has already left.



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asgsdahga (Wed Oct 9 11:28:31 1996 IST):
What persuaded you for making that picture which I could'nt see so far. shaji Kuwait



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coomi (Wed Oct 9 11:37:29 1996 IST):
Whew! got through at last! but too late. Didn't get connected for almost 1.5hrs. Sorry I missed the great man.



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coomi (Wed Oct 9 11:37:29 1996 IST):
Whew! got through at last! but too late. Didn't get connected for almost 1.5hrs. Sorry I missed the great man.


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