Veteran actor Shabana Azmi paid an emotional tribute to legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal at his prayer meet, recounting their long association and the invaluable lessons she learned from him. Describing Benegal as her "guru, mentor, and friend," Azmi shared heartfelt memories, shedding light on his influence and unique approach to filmmaking and relationships.

Reflecting on her first meeting with Benegal, Azmi recalled his warm smile when she visited him at the ASP office, where he was casting for Ankur. “The last image I have of Shyam was on December 14, 2024, during his 90th birthday celebration. After spending a beautiful hour with us, he left with that same warm wide smile,” she said.

Azmi spoke of Benegal’s reluctance to accept the titles of "guru" or "mentor," yet acknowledged his profound impact on her life. “He was my guru, although a reluctant one. By just being around him, I learned so many little lessons of life. He created space for a friendship where he treated me as an equal, never showing any ownership, which could have been natural in our relationship,” she shared.



Azmi also highlighted Benegal’s remarkable empathy as a filmmaker, particularly during the shoot of Mandi. “We were 40 actors, some with big parts and others with small ones, yet there was great camaraderie. Years later, I learned he instructed his ADs to be mindful of egos and to give more attention to those with smaller roles. That kind of empathy is rare,” she said.

Recalling her concerns about playing the Madame of a brothel in Mandi, Azmi shared her research journey. Visits to Mumbai’s Pila House and Delhi’s GB Road, accompanied by Aziz Nazam, Farooq Sheikh , and Ruhsana Sultan , helped her understand the world she was portraying. “Shyam and I even visited Heera Bazaar in Hyderabad, where we encountered real-life inspirations for the characters. He was always attentive to the nuances of life, which he seamlessly translated into his films,” she recounted.

Azmi concluded by celebrating Benegal’s unmatched ability to bring authenticity and depth to his work. “Whether it was creating memorable characters or fostering respect on his sets, Shyam had a way of making everyone feel valued. He was a filmmaker, a storyteller, and above all, a humanist,” she said.