Mesa Legend - Features - Indian director Shylam Benegal uses film as social commentary

Indian director Shylam Benegal uses film as social commentary

Theresa Dillon
Mesa Legend

At age 6, Shyam Benegal saw his first film and became wonder-struck with the cinema.
Now, at age 66, Benegal has become a renowned director himself, creating over 20 feature films.
He has received the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration and respects the works of American directors John Houston, John Ford and Martin Scorcese.
Ever since his first film, he became inspired with the idea of “moving into a completely different world and I felt I should create that feeling myself.”
Most of Benegal’s films allow the viewer to enter the world of “empowering women” in India.
He feels that “dealing with many problems such as forbidden love, women essentially become the main characters.”
Coming from a more conservative culture, his underlying themes involving women don’t always go so well.
“Problems are different in an ancient country. There is a sense of world enlightenment. The concept of human rights is not automatic. It comes from universal thinking and the process of change does not come without pain,” Benegal explained.
Benegal also explained how in India there is a sense of “inclusiveness.”
“In India, we have great diversity with more ethnic groups, more religions, and more languages than any other place in the world. We are inclusive and have learned to tolerate one another. In India, we are all in together.”
Benegal believes “cinema is meant to be the bridge that brings cultures together. It’s a window to the world that’s not always open.”
Benegal doesn’t make films with lessons for the audience to walk away with. “If you want to learn a lesson, go to school. School brings insight into the human condition,” explained Benegal.
Benegal also believes there is hope for a better future with out war and hate and encourages embracing the world.
Benegal offered advice to future generations. “Open yourself up to the world and deal with the world on a general equality level. The most democratic thing you can do is think not them and us but us,” said Benegal.
This was Benegal’s first time visiting Arizona. Aside from promoting his films at the International Film Festival, he enjoyed some of Arizona’s treasured landmarks such as the Grand Canyon.