Shyam Benegal

Film-Maker

An icon of the Indian cinema, Shyam Benegal is a film-maker behind cult movies such Ankur, Nishant, Manthan and Bhumika, which created an altogether new genre called ‘middle cinema’ and introduced actors of the calibre of Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Amrish Puri and Om Puri. The 82-year-old director is a recipient of Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke awards.