Shyam Benegal, a luminary in Indian cinema, has shaped the narrative of socially conscious filmmaking with his nuanced storytelling and deep understanding of human emotions. Known for his ability to weave compelling narratives around everyday lives, Benegal's films explore the complexities of socio-economic realities, gender dynamics, and cultural traditions. From his debut masterpiece Ankur to the celebrated Manthan and Bhumika, his work transcends entertainment, offering a profound commentary on societal structures. His films stand as a testament to the power of cinema as a medium for change, earning him a revered place among India’s greatest auteurs.

This January, our tribute film festival celebrates Shyam Benegal’s unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. Every Wednesday evening, audiences are invited to revisit his iconic works, engage with their timeless relevance, and explore his unique cinematic language. The retrospective serves as an ode to his artistic genius and an opportunity to inspire new generations of filmmakers and cinephiles to carry forward his legacy of meaningful storytelling.

Film Title: MANDI | 1983 | 167 Mins | India | Hindi with English Subtitles

About the film: Mandi (English: Market Place) is a 1983 Hindi-language film directed by Shyam Benegal. Based on a classic Urdu short story, Aanandi, by writer Ghulam Abbas, the film narrates the story of a brothel situated in the heart of a city, an area that some politicians want for its prime locality. The film is a satirical comedy on politics and prostitution and stars Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, and Naseeruddin Shah, among others.

The film won the 1984 National Film Award for Best Art Direction for Nitish Roy. It was selected at the Indian Panorama at Filmostav, Bombay, in 1984, and was invited to the Los Angeles Exposition (FILMEX), the Hong Kong International Film Festival 1984, and the London Film Festival 1983.

Mandi is the Hindi film with the highest number of Filmfare Award winners (12) in the cast (Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Neena Gupta, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Saeed Jaffrey, Annu Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Pankaj Kapur, Amrish Puri, Ila Arun and K. K. Raina). Additionally, the film includes (4) Filmfare nominees in the cast (Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Anita Kanwar, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Soni Razdan).

Screening followed by Discussion. All are Welcome. Entry is Free & Open to all!