IFFI 2019: Shyam Benegal's films Ankur and Bhumika to be screened in Goa

Shyam Benegal has created several masterpieces in his filmmaking career. From Ankur (1974) to Bhumika (1977), Nishant (1975) to Manthan (1976), Mandi (1983) and Zubeidaa (2001), his filmography is dotted with some of Hindi cinema best films. At a time when commercial movies dominated the box office, his films created a niche. Benegal's cinema was mostly about highlighting social issues, rooted in India. In a way, he truly mirrored reality in his films, rather than celebrate escapism like that in mainstream cinema.

Cinephiles of this generation crave to watch such films now. At least we do! And the 5oth International Film Festival of India (IFFI), being held in Goa this year, has introduced a section titled Indian New Wave Cinemas to showcase some of Shyam Benegal cult films.Two of Benegal's films which have made it to the list at the festival are Ankur and Bhumika. Both will be screened under the segment, Indian New Wave Cinema at IFFI.

#News: Shyam Benegal’s #Bhumika [Amol Palekar, Smita Patil] and #Ankur [Anant Nag, Shabana Azmi] to be screened at the 50th edition of @IFFIGoa under 'Indian New Wave Cinema' section. @PrakashJavdekar @Chatty111Prasad @esg_goa #IFFI2019 #IFFI50 pic.twitter.com/gwca2UX2nF taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) November 14, 2019

Apart from Ankur and Bhumika, there are 10 other movies in the list, all of which are by notable filmmakers like Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, among others.

Here's the list:

Ajantrik, Ritwik Ghatak

Meghe Dhaka Tara, Ritwik Ghatak

Bhuvan Shome, Mrinal Sen

Uski Roti, Mani Kaul

Swayamvaram, Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Maya Darpan, Kumar Shahani

Duvidha, Mani Kaul

Uttarayanam, Govindan Aravindan

Agraharathil Kazhuthai, John Abraham

Thampu, Govindan Aravindan

Ankur was Shyam Benegal's first feature film and he chose debutantes Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag as his lead actors. The 1974 film received three National Film Awards and one of them went to Shabana in the Best Actress category.

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Ankur (1974) Shyam Benegal directed his first movie. Shabana Aazmi made debut and also won National award. Ankur started Parallel Cinema Movement in Hindi Film Industry. Ankur is surely gem of Indian Cinema. #ankur #shyambenegal #shabanaazmi

A post shared by (@satyam__upadhyay_) on Nov 7, 2019 at 7:45pm PST

For Bhumika, Benegal opted for Smita Patil instead of Shabana as his leading lady. Apart from Smita, the film also starred Amol Palekar, Naseeruddin Shah and Amrish Puri in pivotal roles. The 1977 film was based on the autobiography of a Marathi actress Hanska Wadkar, who was popular during the 1940s. Smita aced the role of Wadkar through her performance in the film.

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#Bhumika This is a 1977 Indian film directed by Shyam Benegal based on the memoirs of well-known Marathi stage and screen actress Hansa Wadkar named "Sangtye Aika". The film narrates the story of a talented girl from a poor family becoming a successful singer and actress; being married and having a girl she has to face the men patriarchy and her affairs. The film aptly and sharply brings to focus the bygone era and the realism greatly mixed. Dealing with a woman in centre when the Indian Films were dominated only by males- this is a breakthrough film. The direction is excellent, the Screenplay by Girish Karnad, Pt. Satyadev Dubey and Shyam Benegal is compelling whereas the Cinematography compliments very well. The back forth pattern with effective use of Black and White works well but the slow pace is a major drawback. The characters are written with great depth, the central character's journey feels ours- the end is unsatisfying and open but the film goes beyond just being a film. It was one of the first film from the short-lived New Indian Cinema movement designed to reach large audience and to receive a substantial commercial release back then. Smita Patil, her transformation from 15 years to 40 years has a mature act and she justifies the role completely- amazing performance. Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Sulabha Deshpande, Anant Nag and Kulbhushan Kharbhanda give a terrific support. The one performance which stays along with Smita Patil's is of Amol Palekar, such a great performance. It's a film talking about woman and films, a character delivers the following dialogue: "The beds change, the kitchens change. Men's masks change, but men don't change". P.S. IT WAS GIVEN AN "ADULT" CERTIFICATE BY THE CENSORS FOR ITS ADULT THEME. Irony! _______________________ #ShyamBenegal #SmitaPatil #NasseruddinShah #Hindi #HindiFilm #Bollywood #Film #Cinema #FilmLovers #FilmCommunity #Follow #Likes #Cinephile #Review #CinemaParadise

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For the unversed, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil worked together in Shyam Benegal's 1975 film Nishant. The film also had Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri and Girish Karnad in it.

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On the sets of Nishant 1976

A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) on Nov 8, 2017 at 6:15pm PST

IFFI 2019 will organise the screenings of six of Amitabh Bachchan's hits, that include Sholay, Deewaar, Paa, Piku, Black and Badla. Cinema lovers will also get to watch Aradhana and Satyakam at the film festival this month.

IFFI commences on November 20 and concludes on November 28.

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