Book Review: ‘ReFocus: The Films of Shyam Benegal’ edited by Sneha Kar Chaudhuri and Ramit Samaddar

Published : Aug 24, 2023 11:00 IST - 8 MINS READ In 2024, Shyam Benegal’s debut feature film Ankur will turn 50. ReFocus: The Films of Shyam Benegal Edited by Sneha Kar Chaudhuri and Ramit Samaddar Orient Blackswan Pages: 272 Price: Rs.1,050 So, this book comes at a timely moment to take stock of Benegal, the director. This emerges seemingly organically: every essay notes the complexity and richness of Benegal’s female characters.” This fine observation notwithstanding, the book contains no discussion or even mention of the other aspects of Benegal’s filmmaking, such as cinematography, sound, production design or acting. Highlights In 2024, Shyam Benegal’s debut feature film Ankur will turn 50: so, this book comes at a timely moment to take stock of Benegal, the director will turn 50: so, this book comes at a timely moment to take stock of Benegal, the director The unambiguous triumph of the book is the discussion on Benegal’s portrayal of women: every essay notes the complexity and richness of Benegal’s female characters But the book contains no discussion of the other aspects of Benegal’s filmmaking, such as cinematography, sound, production design or acting The book contains several typos and errors Glaring typos What is more, Benegal’s films are often very funny.