"IF I'M LIVING, I MUST FEEL THAT I'M ALIVE!"

The restored version of Shyam Benegal's 1976 film Manthan, after its Cannes premiere, got a nation-wide release earlier this month earning a new-generation audience. And Benegal, one of the most influential Indian filmmakers of all time, who turns 90 this year, is in no mood to hang up his boots

- Ananya Ghosh

The most difficult part about attempting the impossible is that often you are not ready for it to become a reality! It was a sleepy Monday morning; I thought of kickstarting the week by putting in a request for a Shyam Benegal interview. Not only a restored version of his 1976 movie Manthan which was also India's first crowdfunded film, had a world premiere at the recently concluded 77th Cannes Film Festival, he has had a long association with FTII, the institute currently in news for its alumni's Cannes glory. It is indeed a good time to talk to the eighteen National Film Awards winning filmmaker. But he rarely gives interviews. And the only way to get in touch with him is through his office landline. I prepared myself to pitch the request to his secretary but dialled the numbers with zero expectations. The phone rings, and I am greeted by a familiar, sombre voice: "Yes...". I nearly jumped out of my skin. It was Shyam Benegal himself. I was suddenly wide awake and blank! I somehow explained the reason of my call and put forward my request.

"I am in my office, come over."

"Today?"

"By noon. I will leave by 1pm. Don't be late."