Man with a musical dream

Shyam Benegal tells Monica Adhlakha that he has his lens full with a musical and a social film

Wedded to the art of filmmaking for almost 32 years, Shyam Benegal is finally attempting musicals. “Something I have always wanted to do. Besides, I’ll be working on a rural comedy film as well. I’m very superstitious. So, I won’t like to disclose much about my future projects but the picture is clear in my mind and soon I shall begin work on it.”

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Benegal was recently in town for the screening of his documentary Lost Childhood, a jointly funded project by the Government of India and US Department of Labour. “The film highlights the stark realities of the lives of child workers. Steps like mid-day meals have helped but the subject needs more focus.” About revolutionary films like Rang De Basanti and Lage Raho Munnabhai, Shyam says, “It’s a welcome change. A film’s job is to grab people’s attention and these films have successfully done that.” After enjoying the best of both worlds, Shyam feels elated to be a part of the change.

“First it was silent films, then came talkies and now is the time for surround sound… cinema and technology are inseparable.” So, was it difficult to cope with the change? “It can’t be difficult for someone, like me, who doesn’t want to be placed in the past or be a part of the museum. As of now, I want to make good films, which may or may not be successful, but if people enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making them…then I’ll be happy.”