Divya Dutta Pays Tribute To Shyam Benegal’s Timeless Legacy: ‘End Of An Era’ – News18

Last Updated:December 24, 2024, 17:29 IST

Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away at the age 90 after dealing with chronic kidney disease for several years.

Divya Dutta celebrated Shyam Benegal’s 90th birthday on December 14. (Photo Credits: Instagram)

Shyam Benegal, the trailblazer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away on Monday. He was 90. The acclaimed filmmaker had been dealing with chronic kidney disease for several years. Known for his ability to create profound and thought-provoking films, Benegal leaves behind a legacy that shaped the Indian cinematic landscape. Actress Divya Dutta, who had recently joined the stalwart to celebrate his milestone 90th birthday on December 14, expressed her shock and grief.

In an interview with Times Of India, she opened up about the memorable celebration, calling it a gathering of everyone whose careers he had shaped or who had been close to him.

“It was a beautiful celebration. I didn’t know the bright smile he walked around with that night would be the last time I will see him smiling. He has lived his life the way it should be lived,” she added.

Divya remembered her personal bond with Benegal, sharing how their conversations often unfolded over a simple cup of tea or phone calls.

“It was euphoric for me to be there at his 90th birthday. He was there until the party ended where we all surrounded him. Guess it was his way of saying goodbye,” she continued.

Divya also spoke about her time working with the legendary filmmaker. She remembered the sets of Samar (1998) where Benegal created a friendly and collaborative atmosphere. The actress said his sets weren’t like others where actors stayed in their vanity vans, instead, everyone shared meals and spent time together which helped create great on-screen chemistry. She recalled how Benegal gave her the freedom to choreograph a folk song for the film.

“He had a beautiful way of extracting performance out of you without you knowing it. Likewise, I remember I was supposed to anchor a show for Punjab. I had 40 pages of verses and there was no teleprompter. He built that confidence in me to heart the lines and do the anchoring. It worked. That was his power,” she added.

Divya also praised Benegal’s body of work, calling it “a treasure.”

“He has given us some of the finest films. He made parallel cinema that stood out so beautifully,” she said, adding, “Shyam Benegal is a legend. With his passing away it is genuinely the end of an era.”

The last rites of Shyam Benegal took place in Mumbai. The legendary filmmaker is survived by wife Nira Benegal and daughter, Pia Benegal.