Karisma Kapoor Recalls Working with Shyam Benegal: Extraordinary Eye

Photo : Instagram / @therealkarismakapoor

Actor Karisma Kapoor shared her memories of working with the famous director Shyam Benegal in the 2001 film Zubeidaa. She called him her “second grandfather” and praised his passion for making films. Karisma talked about how much she admired his ability to pay attention to every detail when making the movie. She remembered how much she learned from him during their work together.

Shyam Benegal, a highly respected name in Indian cinema, passed away at the age of 90. He died on Monday at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, where he had been treated for kidney problems.

Karisma paid a heartfelt tribute to him, saying, “Shyamji’s legacy will never be forgotten. He was like a second grandfather to me. His dedication to telling real stories and his courage to explore deep subjects will continue to inspire people for a long time.”

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Zubeidaa, the film Karisma worked on with Benegal, was directed by him and written by Khalid Mohammed. It also starred Rekha, Manoj Bajpayee, Surekha Sikri, Rajit Kapoor, Lillete Dubey, Amrish Puri, Farida Jalal, and Shakti Kapoor. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, and Karisma won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics) for her role in the film.

Karisma spoke about how special it was to work with Shyam Benegal. She said, “Working with him on Zubeidaa was one of the best experiences of my life. He focused on every little detail. He insisted on using real sound and even had jewellery and costumes from a royal family for the film. I also remember spending time with him talking about films, music, and food. It was at his house that I first tried 'khow suey.'”

She added, “Indian cinema will always be thankful for his genius. I feel so lucky to have worked closely with one of the greatest filmmakers.”

Karisma’s sister, Kareena Kapoor, also paid tribute to Shyam Benegal by sharing a poster of Zubeidaa on Instagram. She added a heart emoji to show her love and respect for the filmmaker.

Shyam Benegal’s films were known for dealing with important social and political issues. His most recent film, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), told the story of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader who played a big role in the creation of Bangladesh. The film was made during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a co-production between India and Bangladesh.

Apart from making films, Benegal also worked on documentaries and TV shows. His famous TV series Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan are still considered major contributions to Indian television.

Benegal also led the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986. He was a member of important film juries, including the Moscow International Film Festival (1985) and the National Film Awards (1988). His work has left a lasting mark on Indian cinema and will continue to inspire future generations of filmmakers and movie lovers.