Mating of Creative Genius (es)

His gruff baritone over telecon was humble with a flavour of warmth. I was honoured to be invited into his official chamber in Mumbai that looked an art house. And why not? He was an elegant establishment of Art or Alternate cinema in India.

Punctual with honest simplicity, I was looking at a Film Director that was India’s pride – Shyam Benegal . His room was full of books – on cinema, history and varied others that clearly defined his stature, with innumerable Awards of highest Honor(s) received.

He was in rapt attention to my film A Little Poland in India that had brought us together with a larger vision. He gave my edgy stature respect with due professional diligence, enabling me to babble my magnum vision. Giving inputs in all seriousness made my vision seemed to be gaining a creative structure of reality as I walked out of his office.

Months passed as the vision was still blur. Besides his very busy schedule he always accepted to fit me in whenever I requested. Each time we met, his genius creativity and expert inputs gave me encouragement and kept my vision alive.

More months passed. The positive affirmations of my vision brought in some hope through the positive supportive Polish Institute in Delhi . We met again. This time with his writer – muse Shama Zaidi , who had penned most of Shyam Babu’s (as he is lovingly called in Bollywood) films.

The mating of creative geniuse(s) had begun, with my vision converted on paper by Shama ji with expert inputs given by Shyam Sir. He would patiently bridge to convey my angst to his writer-muse, saving the vision till it was ready in form.

I hold the first copy-right in my humbled hands. The names engraved on it touches my heart and gives wings to my aspiration for a wider canvas.

I have often wondered and questioned – What is it that made a larger than life filmmaker “The” Shyam Benegal accept somewhat unrealistic creative vision of a small-time filmmaker like me? I like to humour myself into thinking that he does see a potential in me with my vision?

This unpretentious humility is what makes Shyam Sir stand firm on his artistic roots, giving the world original inspirational stories of real life-cinema.

Section:: Case Studies