Shyam Benegal Turns 90: Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah share glimpses of celebration

Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, renowned for iconic films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Junoon, and Mandi, celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday. The occasion was marked by a gathering of industry stalwarts like Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta, and Naseeruddin Shah, who later shared glimpses of the special evening on Instagram.

In a touching photograph, the veteran actress was seen alongside Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapur, Atul Tiwari, and filmmaker-actor Kunal Kapoor, son of Shashi Kapoor. In another post, Azmi posed with her frequent co-star Naseeruddin Shah, while raising an intriguing question.

Whenever Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah shared the screen, their performances created cinematic magic, captivating audiences. Reflecting on their iconic collaborations, Azmi shared a picture with Naseeruddin and Shyam Benegal, accompanied by a brief but meaningful note.

The caption read, “On Shyam Benegal’s 90th birthday with my co-actor of many films and my favorite actor, Naseeruddin Shah. Why aren’t more people casting us together?" For the glamorous evening, Azmi donned a vibrant pink saree, exuding elegance, while Naseeruddin looked dashing in a beige suit. Benegal completed the trio in a blue shirt paired with a traditional black waistcoat.

 

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  A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18)

Divya Dutta shared more glimpses of the intimate birthday celebration through a heartfelt montage on Instagram, capturing the essence of the evening. The clip showcased cherished moments with the talented stars who attended the party. Clad in a stunning traditional saree, Dutta looked radiant, effortlessly making a fashion statement.

Divya captioned her post, “And the legend turns 90.ill never forget my first film with him.i went to the outdoors for a dance sequence .he made me choreograph the song with the local dancers and shot it in one go with the entire unit up all night cheering me!! I was all of 18. But someone like shyam benegal entrusting me with it gave me confidence for llife.happy bday Shyambabu!! Luckiest to have done 5 projects with you…lots of love.”

 

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  A post shared by Divya Dutta (@divyadutta25)

Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah have shared the screen in several iconic films, including Nishant, Junoon, Sparsh, Arth, Masoom, Mandi, and Paar. These films are celebrated as milestones in Indian cinema.

Also Read: Shabana Azmi on Shyam Benegal as he turns 90, “He is my mentor and guru, albeit a reluctant one”