Dev Benegal grew up in the cinema theatres of Delhi, where he was fed a diet of American and British imports. This eclectic mix of films had a profound impact on his development as a filmmaker and laid the foundation for his unique style, which would later become a hallmark of his work.
Benegal's first feature film, English, August (1994),was a groundbreaking achievement that ignited a new generation of Indian cinema. This humorous and irreverent study of bureaucracy and the Indian Generation X won numerous awards, including the Silver Grand Prix and the Gilberto Martinez Solares prize for the Best First Film at the Festival des 3 continents, Nantes, and the Special Jury Award at the Torino International Film Festival.
English, August's success was a significant milestone in Indian cinema, as it marked the first time an independent Indian film had broken the stranglehold of mainstream Bollywood cinema. The film's acquisition by 20th Century Fox and its subsequent theatrical success in India paved the way for a new wave of Indian films that challenged traditional norms and conventions.
Benegal's second feature film, Split Wide Open, is a powerful exploration of the water wars in Bombay and the subversive sexuality that exists in modern India. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival and went on to win the Grand Prix at the Turnhout, Belgium International Film Festival, as well as the Best Actor and Special Jury Award at the Singapore International Film Festival.
Benegal's screenplay for Ravan & Eddie was the first Indian script to be selected for the prestigious eQuinoxe tbc script workshops in France. This recognition is a testament to his skill as a writer and his ability to craft compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
Benegal's films are known for their unique blend of Indian narrative and Western genre, which sets them apart from other films. His characters are complex and multifaceted, and his humor is both witty and poignant. Benegal's films are about people caught between many cultures, speaking seventeen languages, and still making sense.
Benegal is also a pioneer in digital technology, and his film, English, August, was the first Indian feature film to adopt digital post-production from picture editing on the Avid to sound design and delivery. His passion for technology and film led to the creation of his pioneering production program, 24×7 Making Movies, which invites anyone below the age of 24 to make a short feature film in 24 hours.
Under the 24×7 Making Movies banner, Benegal has produced over 60 short feature films, many of which have been acclaimed by Variety and the Cannes International Film Festival. He has also curated Stories R Us, an Indian Diaspora Seminar and Film Festival for the British Council, which ran to packed houses in Bombay and across the country. The festival focused on how narrative and storytelling is shaped and interpreted by the Indian Diaspora.
Benegal is a script advisor to the eQuinoxe tbc script workshops in France and Germany, and his work continues to inspire and influence a new generation of filmmakers.
