We were from a different period altogether. I think it’ssafe to call it the Jurassic age," stated veteran filmmaker, ShyamBenegal, baldly.
Benegal was speaking at the Master Class at the 43rd IFFI.As the decades have moved on, Benegal admits that with time the old guard hasto make way for the new. “I know full well that I could be obsolete beforelong. The times are changing, and one has to keep up with the pace. Sometimes,it is easier said than done,” he accepted resignedly.
With this admission, Benegal put forth a suggestion to thenext generation of filmmakers. This was none other than the importance ofdwelling on cinema’s practical aspects. "It is important to first practicebefore formulating your theories. Very often I find that the younger generationstarts with a theory first and philosophises about something even before theyhave made anything. This can be the biggest pitfall to an illustriouscareer," he said.
"It is vital to remember at all times that cinemashould engage its target audience. It is a sort of relationship that needs tobe developed through a narrative. If there is no narrative, there isnothing," he added.
He also touched on how one’s idols can shape a career. Inhis case, it was filmmaker, Guru Dutt who inspired him. "As I sat watching‘Baazi’, I promised myself that by the age of 25, I would make a film. If Dutt,who didn’t come from a film background could do it, there was hope for meyet," said Benegal.
But the filmmaker’s illustrious career may never have evenhappened. “If I had not to make Ankur, I don’t think that I would have made anyother film. It took me 13 years to make the movie. While the script was with mefrom 1960, it had to be reworked from various angles. It was a true story thathappened in my village," said Benegal, accrediting his career to the successof his debut movie.
Having come nearly to the end of his Master Class, Benegalwent on to discuss, on a parting note, his views on children’s cinema. "Iam of the opinion that this is an area that needs development. The closest thiscountry has come to children’s cinema is Manhohan Desai’s ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.His films sent the right message across about social messages. We are wrong tothink that children are idiots. In this day and age, a child of six or sevenunderstands as much as we do," said Benegal.
The filmmaker also added that while there is need for a pushfrom the government for broadening cinematic horizons, one must not expect muchfrom the central government. "It is the job of the state to promote cinemaas a whole. If the state is going to generate income through entertainment tax,I think it is only fair that it should give alternate cinema a littlepush," he concluded.
