Click to play videoNew Delhi: A man known for his socially relevant cinema that tried to mix commercial saleability with art house aesthetics.
Filmmaker, Shyam Benegal was chosen to receive the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2005. The award is the most prestigious award in films given by the Indian government.
This honour was conferred to Benegal for his most outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
"I am overwhelmed by the award because it's a recognition of a kind which is very rare and obviously it's a recognition of the state. It's a huge honour,” says Benegal.
And having tasted so much critical success, does winning over the box office still remain a priority?
"Of course I want box office success. Everybody craves for it, “ quips Benegal.
From Benegal's debut with Ankur in 1973 to his latest Subhash Chandra Bose -The Forgotten Hero and from being awarded the Padma Shri in 1976, the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and now the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, it has been quite a journey for the filmmaker.
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