Join the event as a special tribute to legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal. Featuring a screening of his satirical classic Mandi, this event honours his powerful portrayals of women — bold, layered, and unapologetically ahead of their time.
5pm: Pre- screening meeting Brunei Gallery, SOAS University of London, Ground Floor, Room 2 (BG02)
6pm: Introductions and Panel discussion at Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre (BGLT) lower ground floor. Dr Sanjukta Ghosh (SSAI), Prof Subir Sinha (TBC), Shobha De and Gautam Ghosh.
6:30pm: Film screening of Shyam Bengal's Mandi with subtitles.
Description of event:
Mandi — Directed by the legendary Shyam Benegal, Mandi is a satirical drama that remains one of Indian cinema's most powerful feminist narratives. Set in a red-light district, the film explores the complexities of morality, power, and hypocrisy through the lives of sex workers fighting for dignity and survival in the face of political and societal exploitation.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda, the film is both poignant and provocative. Its themes of female agency, communal identity, and resistance continue to resonate deeply—especially within the South Asian diaspora.
Shyam Benegal: He is one of India’s most acclaimed filmmakers, known for his pioneering work in parallel cinema. With a career spanning decades, he is celebrated for films that challenge social norms and spotlight complex, layered characters—particularly women. His storytelling blends realism with deep political and cultural insight, making him a transformative figure in Indian cinema.
Shobha De: An acclaimed Indian author, columnist, and cultural critic known for her bold feminist voice and sharp insights into society, gender, and cinema. A former magazine editor and bestselling novelist, she has been a trailblazer in Indian media, making her a powerful and fitting voice in conversations around storytelling and representation.
Gautam Ghosh: One of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, known for his deeply humanistic and visually poetic storytelling. With award-winning films like Paar, Antarjali Yatra, and Moner Manush, he continues to be a vital voice in Indian and world cinema.
Dr Subir Sinha: Director of the SOAS South Asia Institute and a leading academic voice on South Asian politics, development, and social movements.
The discussion is moderated by Dr Sanjukta Ghosh (Hon Artistic Director, SOAS South Asia Institute).
Event hosted by: SOAS South Asia Institute that represents the most extensive and diverse community of scholars working on South Asia of any university in Europe in partnership with UKAFF.
SOAS
London
Fri 9 May 2025 / 5.00PM
Join the event as a special tribute to legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal. Featuring a screening of his satirical classic Mandi, this event honours his powerful portrayals of women — bold, layered, and unapologetically ahead of their time.
5pm: Pre- screening meeting Brunei Gallery, SOAS University of London, Ground Floor, Room 2 (BG02)
6pm: Introductions and Panel discussion at Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre (BGLT) lower ground floor. Dr Sanjukta Ghosh (SSAI), Prof Subir Sinha (TBC), Shobha De and Gautam Ghosh.
6:30pm: Film screening of Shyam Bengal's Mandi with subtitles.
Description of event:
Mandi — Directed by the legendary Shyam Benegal, Mandi is a satirical drama that remains one of Indian cinema's most powerful feminist narratives. Set in a red-light district, the film explores the complexities of morality, power, and hypocrisy through the lives of sex workers fighting for dignity and survival in the face of political and societal exploitation.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda, the film is both poignant and provocative. Its themes of female agency, communal identity, and resistance continue to resonate deeply—especially within the South Asian diaspora.
Shyam Benegal: He is one of India’s most acclaimed filmmakers, known for his pioneering work in parallel cinema. With a career spanning decades, he is celebrated for films that challenge social norms and spotlight complex, layered characters—particularly women. His storytelling blends realism with deep political and cultural insight, making him a transformative figure in Indian cinema.
Shobha De: An acclaimed Indian author, columnist, and cultural critic known for her bold feminist voice and sharp insights into society, gender, and cinema. A former magazine editor and bestselling novelist, she has been a trailblazer in Indian media, making her a powerful and fitting voice in conversations around storytelling and representation.
Gautam Ghosh: One of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, known for his deeply humanistic and visually poetic storytelling. With award-winning films like Paar, Antarjali Yatra, and Moner Manush, he continues to be a vital voice in Indian and world cinema.
Dr Subir Sinha: Director of the SOAS South Asia Institute and a leading academic voice on South Asian politics, development, and social movements.
The discussion is moderated by Dr Sanjukta Ghosh (Hon Artistic Director, SOAS South Asia Institute).
Event hosted by: SOAS South Asia Institute that represents the most extensive and diverse community of scholars working on South Asia of any university in Europe in partnership with UKAFF.
