'After Om's untimely demise, he would call us every Sunday for the next two years to ask, "How are you doing my dear? How's the young fella?"'
'The censor board asked me for some strange cuts.' 'Otherwise, they would have given me an 'A' certificate.' 'One cut was where Girish Karnad was explaining artificial insemination in cattle.' 'These cuts never made any sense to me.'
Veteran director Shyam Benegal is having a tough time finding producers for his ambitious project Spy Princess in the recession hit film industry. The film has been adapted from a book of the same name by Sharabani Basu. Noor Inayat Khan, a descendant of Tipu Sultan, was a British-Indian princess who served as a spy during World War II and was captured and shot dead by German forces, who failed to extract any information from her.
'I have done a one-hour film on soya bean with him!'
Sukanya Verma looks at instances of aristocrats falling for commoners on the silver screen.
'So my question was, 'What is it that you are proud of? What have you achieved? What is your contribution?' 'He had no answer.'
'The problems that the film explores still remain. It was a different time when we made the film. We were young and we thought we could change the world.'
The Benegal panel, in its first report submitted on April 26, had urged the government to lay down a "holistic framework for certification of films."
'On the set, he was this big personality, the great Om Puri. But at home, he was like a fluffy teddy bear.'
As Indian cinema turns 100, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, one of India's greatest directors, lists some of his personal favourites.
'I have never met anyone so knowledgeable and with so much conviction, so much humility about everything he knew.'
The festival's People's Choice Award, voted by the audience, is a strong indication of films that can eventually be nominated and even win Oscars. Twelve of the last 15 People's Choice winners have received Best Picture Oscar nominations.
'The way the anticipation is built up for Gabbar Singh's introduction scene with sound, image and details of his personality, like the combat boots he wears.' 'The camera comes so close -- not a tele lens shot, but a wide-angle close-up -- that you can almost smell Gabbar's breath.'
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was spotted at Mumbai airport as she left for Cannes.
A look at Shyam Benegal's period classic, Junoon.
A sense of practicality and idealism mingle in the works of veteran director Shyam Benegal, says Abhilasha Ojha.
Nearly half a century later, Shyam Benegal's Manthan will be showcased in restored print at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It still serves as a much-needed reminder of setting aside differences in the favour of combined progress and profit, notes Sukanya Verma.
It would be unfair, even impossible not to compare Welcome to Sajjanpur with Benegal's previous Mandi, which has its own share of issues, idiosyncrasies and intended comedy. While Mandi it's not, Welcome to Sajjanpur is worth a trip, flaws inclusive, for its nifty funniness and curious concept.
'He is one of the most down-to-earth and hardworking guys I know, and that's true of all superstars, including Bachchan sahab.'
'I don't know how long cinema will survive.'
'I am not a mother and never had an abortion either, so I had to understand motherhood and child loss from anecdotal experiences of others.'
Girish Karnad's demise leaves Shabana Azmi shattered.
Filmmaker Shyam Benegal said that the film certification body has been no stranger to controversies but there should be frequent review of issues related to censorship.
Latest updates from Bollywood.
Karisma meets Maonj Bajpayee... Juhi wishes Alka Yagnik... Namrata enjoys a Parisian breakfast...
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan says artistes from Pakistan should not be treated like terrorists and art and terrorism should not be mixed.
Disha's great grandfather directed Karan's grandfather in Bandini.
Dev Benegal talks about his new film Road, Movie.
'Do films today even have the courage to question the establishment?'
On her 50th birthday on June 25, Sukanya Verma celebrates some of her most significant works.
Shabana Azmi has lost more than 10 kilos for Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, where she plays Alia Bhatt's grandmother.
'I have no idea why I was so many film-makers' choice for Jinnah. I assume it is because I was born and bred in Mumbai and speak English.' 'There's also my name, people tend to believe that a Muslim character can best be played by a Muslim actor.'
Researchers plan to move court if Shyam Benegal's film, Bose -- The Forgotten Hero, is released in its present form.
Shekhar is in Sydney. Urmila is in Jammu. Urvashi is in Paris...
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