Manoj Bajpayee Pays Tribute to Shyam Benegal: A Visionary Who Saw Beyond His Looks and Changed His Career
Manoj Bajpayee Pays Tribute to Shyam Benegal: A Visionary Who Saw Beyond His Looks and Changed His Career
Manoj Bajpayee shared how Shyam Benegal saw his potential beyond his appearance, giving him the chance to play a royal character in the 2001 film Zubeidaa. Bajpayee never imagined he would play such a role until Benegal convinced him.
Benegal, a pioneer of Indian art house cinema with films like Mandi and Ankur, passed away in Mumbai just nine days after turning 90.
Bajpayee recalled that he met Benegal a few years after his famous role as Bhiku Mhatre in the 1998 film Satya. He explained, “Benegal wanted to work with me and sent a message through Ram Gopal Varma. Varma told me, ‘Shyam Benegal wants you in his film. You don’t need to know anything else, just say yes.’ That’s the respect we have for him.”
Grateful for the opportunity, Bajpayee agreed to work with Benegal, only to be surprised when he was offered the role of Prince Vijayendra Singh in Zubeidaa, alongside Karisma Kapoor.
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A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced… pic.twitter.com/EH0eosqkAR
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 23, 2024
Bajpayee said, “Benegal saw beyond my looks. He was sure I was right for the role, even though I had doubts. He showed me pictures of Indian kings and asked if I thought I was better looking than them.”
Zubeidaa was a key moment in Bajpayee’s career, changing how the public saw his acting skills.
Bajpayee posted a picture with Karisma Kapoor and Benegal from the Zubeidaa set on his X handle. Reflecting on Benegal’s death, he said, “This is a heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal was a visionary who changed storytelling and inspired many. Working with him on Zubeidaa was life-changing. He had a unique way of telling stories and a deep understanding of acting. I’m grateful for everything I learned from him. His legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Shyam Babu. Om Shanti.”
Benegal was honored with prestigious awards like the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. He also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times and received the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
