Through Benegal’s Lens: Acting, Art and the Indian Conscience
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Date: 21 November 2025
Time: 5 PM - 6:30 PM
Venue: KCC, Fourth Floor
For ages: 16 and above
OPEN TO ALL
Shyam Benegal, often regarded as the quiet revolutionary of Indian cinema, broke away from glamour to reveal emotional truth and bring a new realism to the screen. His films offered actors a richer moral and artistic space to explore.
As part of the Shyam Benegal Retrospective: The Lens of Revolution at the AMI Arts Festival 2025, Through Benegal’s Lens features Pia Benegal, Rajit Kapur, Divya Dutta, and Sachin Khedekar in a reflective discussion on his legacy, craft, and collaborations. Moderated by Syed Mohd Irfan, this session will be held on 21 November as a part of the festival’s inauguration.
Experience an insightful tribute to a filmmaker whose honesty, depth, and courage in his works continues to shape Indian cinema.
About the Speakers
Pia Benegal is a veteran Bollywood costume designer with over three decades of experience, known for her meticulous attention to detail and storytelling through costume. She is the daughter of the acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal and partner at Shyam Benegal Sahyadri Films. Pia Benegal is renowned for designing memorable characters in Droh Kaal, Dil Se, Zubeidaa, and Aligarh. Her work on historical projects like The Making of the Mahatma, Bose, and Samvidhaan showcases her mastery of period detailing. Pia’s recent OTT debut with Hansal Mehta’s Gandhi series premieres at TIFF 2025.
Rajit Kapur is an acclaimed Indian actor and director known for his powerful work in film and theatre. He gained national acclaim for his portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in The Making of the Mahatma (1996), winning the National Film Award for Best Actor. His versatile career spans languages and mediums, from playing Byomkesh Bakshi in Basu Chatterjee’s iconic series to his award-winning role as Unni in Agnisakshi. Rajit made his film debut in Shyam Benegal’s Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1992).
Divya Dutta is a National Award-winning Indian actress celebrated for her versatility across film, television, and digital platforms. She gained early recognition with Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh (1999) and has since delivered acclaimed performances in films such as Veer-Zaara, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Delhi-6, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and Badlapur. Her role in Irada (2017) earned her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. On television, she is known for Samvidhaan and Special OPS. She is also the author of The Stars in My Sky.
Sachin Khedekar is a distinguished Indian actor and director known for his powerful work across Hindi, Marathi, and Telugu cinema. Celebrated for his versatility, he has delivered acclaimed performances in films like Kaksparsh, Astitva, and Shyam Benegal’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero. On television, he is remembered for Sailaab, Imtihaan, and his portrayal of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Samvidhaan. With over three decades of experience, he remains one of Indian cinema’s most respected performers.
Syed Mohd Irfan is an acclaimed Indian broadcast journalist, television producer, and podcaster, best known as the creator and host of the long-running celebrity talk show Guftagoo. A prominent voice in India’s cultural media landscape, he has produced numerous documentaries, features, and programmes highlighting the country’s artistic and intellectual heritage. At Rajya Sabha Television, he served as Editor-in-Charge of the Art, Culture, and History Desk, where he shaped insightful narratives on influential cultural figures and movements.
