Top 10 Shyam Benegal Movies To Watch Before You Die

Shyam Benegal Shyam Benegal is a renowned Indian director and sc >> Read More... , one of the most influential directors of Indian Cinema, has brought radical change through his pioneering work in films since his career began. Here are ten of his best works that speak volumes about issues faced by Indian society then and now.

1. Ankur (1974)

Starring: Anant Nag Anant Nagarakatte was born in the year 1948 on 4th >> Read More... , Shabana Azmi Shabana Azmi is a film actress of Indian origin an >> Read More...

In his directorial debut that depicts a true story that occurred in Hyderabad, Benegal analyzes the irony of human behavior and addresses important issues of the time such as feudalism and sexual oppression. The movie is a product of Indian Parallel Cinema and won 3 National Awards. It marked the debut of actors Anant Nag and Shabana Azmi, both of whom went on to become powerful dramatic actors in Indian Cinema.

2. Nishant (1975)

Starring: Girish Karnad Born on 19th May 1938, Girish Raghunath Karnad is >> Read More... , Shabana Azmi, Amrish Puri Amrish Lal Puri was born on 22nd June, 1932 in Pun >> Read More... , Naseeruddin Shah Naseeruddin Shah is an experimental actor and asso >> Read More... , Anant Nag, Smita Patil This versatile actress was born on the 17th of Oct >> Read More...

This National Award winner is a stark depiction of the feudal tyranny, fascism, and sexual exploitation that existed in rural India those days, when people were scared to fight for justice against the elite, and those in power remained superior. The second movie in Benegal’s trilogy, which consists of Ankur, Nishant, and Manthan, this film received much deserved critical acclaim and was awarded a Golden Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival.

3. Manthan (1976)

Starring: Smita Patil, Girish Karnad, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri

Set amidst Verghese Kurien’s White Revolution in India, this movie is the story of how an activist tries to give power to the people of an impoverished Gujarati village by encouraging them to form cooperative societies to sell their milk. This film was a pioneering one for depicting the power of collectivism and social equality. It is also known to be a great cinematic treat.

4. Bhumika (1977)

Starring: Smita Patil, Amol Palekar Amol Palekar was born on 24th November, 1944 in Mu >> Read More... , Anant Nag, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri

This film is one of Shyam Benegal’s most impactful works and tells the story of the famous Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar Hansa Wadkar Aka Ratan Bhalachander Salgaokar was >> Read More... and the various men in her life as she transforms from an immature teenager to a wiser woman through her scars. This winner of two National Awards is known to be one of the director’s most alluring and unconventional works.

5. Trikal (1985)

Starring: Leela Naidu Leela Naidu was a notable Indian actress, who beca >> Read More... , Naseeruddin Shah, Anita Kanwar Anita Kanwar is an Indian film and television actr >> Read More... , Neena Gupta Neena Gupta is a very popular and well-known figur >> Read More...

This slice-of-life comedy revolves around a Christian family settled in Portuguese ruled Goa and their lives as it transitions into a district governed by India. This film is known for its brilliant cinematography and Leela Naidu’s performance.

6. Junoon (1978)

Starring: Shashi Kapoor Shashi Kapoor, a name that needs no introduction, >> Read More... , Jennifer Kendal, Nafisa Ali Born in Kolkata, West Bengal to a renowned Muslim >> Read More... , Shabana Azmi, Deepti Naval Deepti Naval belongs to India. She is an actress, >> Read More... , Naseeruddin Shah

This critically acclaimed film based on Ruskin Bond’s A Flight to Remember tells the story of the forbidden love between a married Indian man and a British lady during the freedom struggle. This movie is known for its beautiful shots and award-winning soundtrack, with a performance to remember by Shabana Azmi.

7. Mandi (1983)

Starring: Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Kulbhushan Kharbanda Proudly known for his role as the ingenious bald v >> Read More...

Depicting the lives of the whores in a brothel in Hyderabad, this film is based on a famous Urdu short story and poses as a satire on the culture of prostitution and politics. The movie is a well-acted cinematic treat and, like many other of this director’s films won a National Award.

8. Susman (1987)

Starring: Shabana Azmi, Om Puri Om Rajesh Puri is one of the widely noted senior a >> Read More... , Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Neena Gupta

Susman brings to the spotlight the struggle of the rural handloom weavers in Andhra Pradesh as rapid industrialization had started to take place. The movie features an iconic performance by Om Puri, who had practiced weaving on a handloom for months before shooting his scenes.

9. Kalyug (1981)

Starring: Shashi Kapoor, Raj Babbar Raj Babbar is an actor turned politician. He is re >> Read More... , Anant Nag, Rekha Rekha is probably among the most renowned and well >> Read More... , Supriya Pathak Supriya Pathak is an Indian actress who has been r >> Read More... , Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Sushma Seth Sushma Seth is an extremely popular actress who ha >> Read More... Shyam Benegal portrays the conflicts and rivalry between two large Indian business families in what is a modern-day version of the Mahabharata. With an elaborate cast and innovative screenplay, this film shows how going against morality leads to ultimate destruction.

10. Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1992)

Starring: Rajit Kapur Rajit Kapur is a famous Indian actor most known fo >> Read More... , Neena Gupta, Rajeshwari Sachdev Born as Raj Kaur Sachdev is known for playing the >> Read More... , Amrish Puri

This movie is another one of Benegal’s works that are based on Hindi literature and tells the story of a man and the three women in the different stages of his life. With an abstractness portrayed in an unpretentious manner, this movie is one of Shyam Benegal’s best.