Salim Arif, Shyam Benegal and Gulzar after the premier show of Paansa at NCPA
In a heartfelt tribute to Benegal,
Salim Arif
, a prominent theatre, film, and television personality from Lucknow, shares his personal reflections on the filmmaker who, like so many others, launched and nurtured aspiring artists, helping them shape their careers in the vast world of cinema, “Standing next to the electric crematorium, waiting to bid final goodbye to the man who like me launched several aspiring youngsters in careers of all streams of film-making was like a classical montage of images and voice of the man lying on the pyre, waiting to be released of his mortal remains. But what makes the man immortal is his outstanding body of work, feature and documentary films and a series of 54 episodes titled
Bharat Ek Khoj
that gave me an opportunity to share work and screen space with some of all time greats of Indian Cinema. I remembered my first meeting with him when one deep look and a nod gave me the most important assignment of my life in 2 minutes. I am convinced that he was more confident about taking costume designing work out of me than I was of finding my ground in an area of film making and city that was new for me.He made me head a team of 20 people and execute a project that became my calling card and remains a landmark till date. He sent me to research to museums and ASI In New Delhi and gave me books to read that was part of my knowledge base in Bharat Ek Khoj. He then insisted that I do Ketan Mehta's film on Sardar Patel as he was the creative consultant. A special memory I have is of him invoiting me, VK Murthy and Nitish Roy the Art Director to his house to show us soem referential work and Lunch before we started Bharat Ek Khoj. Three years of affection and rigorous mentoring groomed me to deliver costumes in Mirza Ghalib, Chanakya and Chandrakanta in quick succession. His booming voice and comments remain part of my memories now . Whenever in Tardeo area, one would drop in to visit him in his office for a cup of tea that he was very happy to offer. He was there for my wedding and came to see my plays at NCPA whenever he was in town. I still remember he called me after seeing Kharaashein my play and spoke in superlatives for about 20 minutes. He also came to see Paansa where I could get one of very few pictures I have with him. But his biggest compliment to me came when I met him several years ago and he said
Ek Project mere Saathh Aur karo Yaar
...sadly that could not happen, but he was always available for advice and help. He was very caring and was more of a guardian--friend then an ace director. He was the most well read man I have met and had a google like ability to answer questions on subjects of all kind. Like me he loved good food and we would very discuss dishes and cuisine. He was also available to suggest where you could go to eat if are in Paris or New York, knowing the joints and bylanes fairly well.”
BCCL
BCCL
He adds, “He took me and a few others to Karims ,Frontier and Kerala house for special dishes.We were in Ladakh together for a film festival and there again he took us out for local food.He was fond of Lucknow and made Junoon here.He would discuss the city and his friends like Kunwar Narain ji and Raj Bisaria Saab very fondly whenever we met.With him an entire New Wave, Parallel film movement in Hindi Cinema has gone that he ushered, nurtured and strengthened with great care and conviction.”