Shreyas Talpade Mourns Shyam Benegal’s Loss: ‘I Wanted To Surprise Him On His 90th…’ | Exclusive – News18

Last Updated:December 23, 2024, 21:25 IST

Actor Shreyas Talpade, who had the privilege of working with Shyam Benegal in Welcome To Sajjanpur, fondly reminisced about their association.

Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, known for his pioneering contributions to Indian cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 90. He succumbed to chronic kidney disease at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. His daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed the news, saying, “He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years, but it had gotten very bad.”

Benegal’s illustrious career, marked by films, documentaries, and iconic television series like Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan, earned him a place alongside cinematic giants like Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. Known for his realistic storytelling and depth, his passing is being mourned deeply across the film fraternity.

Actor Shreyas Talpade, who had the privilege of working with Benegal in Welcome To Sajjanpur, fondly reminisced about his association with the legendary filmmaker while speaking to News18 Showsha.

“Welcome To Sajjanpur was one of the most wonderful shooting experiences of my life. Till date, that film remains extremely special, and it’s only because of Shyam babu. He wasn’t just a legendary producer or director but also an institution in himself. I’ve learnt so much from him,” Shreyas began.

Recalling Benegal’s kindness, Shreyas shared, “He had called me when I had a health scare last December. It was very sweet of him. He told me, ‘How are you? I heard about you. Are you okay? Please take care of yourself.’ When I asked him about his health, he said he’s fit as ever and I shouldn’t worry and he’s working on his next project. He was so full of life. He was so knowledgeable and well-read. You don’t come across such people these days. It’s a huge loss and we’re going to truly miss him.”

Expressing regret over not meeting Benegal recently, Shreyas said, “Chetan (Motiwalla; producer of Welcome To Sajjanpur) and I wanted to surprise him on his 90th birthday, but we were told that he isn’t keeping well. I so wanted to meet him and I feel bad that I couldn’t.”

He also revealed, “He wanted me to be a part of Well Done Abba after Welcome To Sajjanpur but I was shooting for Golmaal 3 at that point in time. And Shyam babu was very particular about shooting commitments and discipline. I apologised to him and he understood.”

Reflecting on the joy of working with Benegal, Shreyas said, “Shooting for Welcome To Sajjanpur for those 30-32 days with him makes for some of my happiest memories. Shyam babu could speak about any topic under the sun and had the quality to hypnotise the other person with his sheer knowledge. I loved listening to him talk, and I remember pretty much every minute I spent on that set. He would pamper all the actors. He made sure that everyone was happy, comfortable, and well-rested on set. I so wanted that we did another film or maybe a Welcome To Sajjanpur sequel but unfortunately, couldn’t.”