42 years later, Mandi cast reunites at Kashish 2025 to honour Shyam Benegal
The 16th edition of the KASHISH Pride Film Festival, South Asia's biggest LGBTQ+ film festival, witnessed a moving cinematic moment as the cast and crew of Mandi (1983) reunited after 42 years.
The special tribute honoured legendary filmmaker
Shyam Benegal
, who served as the festival's patron since 2011 and was celebrated for his fearless, socially aware storytelling.
Part of a retrospective on Benegal's cinematic legacy, the screening of Mandi at Cinepolis, Andheri (W), captivated audiences with its progressive themes, layered characters, and bold exploration of power, patriarchy, and sexuality — elements that made it a landmark in Indian cinema.
Soni Razdan and Ila Arun
Actor and singer Ila Arun, who made her debut in Mandi, shared an emotional response:
'I had tears in my eyes, I actually choked. Watching Mandi again was like reliving the experience. It was my first film, and we truly worked like a family. So many layers, so much depth. All my prayers to you, Shyam, with gratitude and love.'
Soni Razdan, another prominent cast member, reflected on the film's pathbreaking journey, 'The uniqueness that is Mandi is no accident.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
Most of us were newcomers, camping out with a few seasoned actors in Hyderabad for two months. The result was this kaleidoscopic mad caper, truly ahead of its time. Even today, making a film like Mandi would be nearly impossible. That was a brave new era of filmmaking.'
Filmmaker Joy Bimal Roy, who began his career assisting Benegal on Mandi, praised the director's humility, 'Shyam was incredibly democratic, treating senior actors and junior assistants with equal respect.
Seeing Mandi again after 43 years brought back a flood of memories.'
The tribute was especially meaningful for Pia Benegal, costume designer and daughter of Shyam Benegal, 'We are deeply honoured that Kashish is celebrating my father's legacy. As a proud patron of the festival, he believed in inclusive storytelling and championed voices from the margins. Mandi reflects not just his artistic brilliance but also his unwavering commitment to cinema that challenges conventions.'
Sridhar Rangayan, Festival Director, summed up the sentiment, 'Shyam Benegal's work reflects the core values of Kashish — compassion, courage, and creative expression. Celebrating him through the Mandi cast reunion was a dream come true. His films continue to inspire generations.'
Check out our list of the
latest Hindi
,
English
,
Tamil
,
Telugu
,
Malayalam
, and
Kannada movies
. Don't miss our picks for the
best Hindi movies
,
best Tamil movies,
and
best Telugu films
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
23 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
What is Dhanush's net worth? Know Raanjhanaa actor's assets, salary and cars owned in 2025
Dhanush is making headlines recently after it was reported that the actor is currently dating Mrunal Thakur. While the actors are yet to make it official, how well do you know about the actor's assets and the money he makes with each movie? What is Dhanush's net worth? According to a report by The Financial Express, Dhanush has a net worth of Rs 230 crore, making him one of the highest-paid actors in the South Indian film industry. Interestingly, the actor's net worth is not just formed with his impressive remuneration but also with previous advertisement collaborations with companies like OLX and 7Up. Dhanush's lavish home in Chennai For those unaware, Dhanush owns a massive home in Chennai's posh Poes Garden where several celebrities reside, including his former father-in-law, Rajinikanth. As per a report by Hindustan Times, the Raayan star's home is estimated to have a value of Rs 150 crore. Dhanush's astounding remuneration and personal vehicles Dhanush is undoubtedly one of the highest-paid actors in Indian cinema. With his experience in cinema being more than 20 years, he is reported by India TV to charge a remuneration between Rs 20 to Rs 35 crore for each film, and receives a monthly salary of Rs 3 crore. On a side note, the actor is reportedly said to have charged Rs 4 crore as his remuneration for appearing in Russo Brothers' The Gray Man. The film starring Ryan Gosling, Ana De Armas, and Chris Evans in leading roles had the Raanjhanaa actor making a small appearance. Moving ahead, Dhanush is mostly known for his simplistic lifestyle and often embodies it with his outfits. However, the actor has a soft spot for luxurious vehicles and is reported to own cars like a Jaguar, an Audi, a Rolls-Royce Ghost, and even a Bentley. Dhanush's personal life Dhanush, whose real name is Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja, was born on July 28, 1983. The 42-year-old actor is the son of former director-producer Kasthuri Raja and his wife Vijayalakshmi. His elder brother, Selvaraghavan, is a popular director-turned-actor known for films like Pudhupettai, 7G Rainbow Colony, and many more. Apart from him, Dhanush also has 2 sisters. The Captain Miller actor was previously married to Rajinikanth's elder daughter, Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth. After a 20-year-long marriage, the couple divorced on November 27, 2024. The former couple share two children, namely Yathra and Linga. Over the years, the actor has not limited himself to acting roles but has also served as lyricist, singer, producer, and, most recently, director. Disclaimer: All amounts mentioned in the article are sourced from public platforms. In some cases, celebrities or their teams give their inputs too, which we incorporate if provided by them. We take all efforts to share possible accurate numbers, however unless otherwise mentioned they are all approximates. We are open to feedback and suggestions on editorial@
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 preview: Shocking Twist! Spot eviction with an open nomination task awaits
Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 intensifies as contestants face a sudden open nomination task, potentially leading to an immediate eviction. Housemates nominate those they deem undeserving, sparking sharp comments and heated exchanges. This twist follows a fiery episode of accusations, heightening the drama and signaling the true start of the game. Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 is turning up the heat faster than expected. Just a day after eight contestants were nominated for the week's eviction, a teaser released by the makers hints at yet another explosive twist, an open nomination task that could lead to a spot eviction. In the latest promo, contestant Bincy is seen reading out a task letter from Bigg Boss , which asks the housemates to nominate someone they believe does not deserve to stay in the house. The twist? The letter clearly states that the result of this task will lead to an eviction, possibly an immediate one. In the teaser, Aryan is seen nominating Shanavas, making a sharp comment: "He tries to portray himself as Rudran, the villain from his serial, but to me, he feels more like a cat." Gizele, who was already nominated earlier, targeted Sarika, saying, "This is Bigg Boss, not a place to act like a mother-in-law." Rena too jumped into the action, stating she doesn't think Nevin fits the Bigg Boss image and is only trying to be an entertainer. Nevin, unfazed, snapped back, saying, 'I'm here because I am an entertainer.' This bold move comes right after a fiery episode that saw emotional breakdowns and heated accusations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Earlier, Aneesh Tharayil had accused Sarika of being fake and lacking a personality, referring to her work in scripted interviews. The fallout from that conversation was still lingering in the house when the new task was announced. With emotions running high, open nominations, and possible spot evictions, Bigg Boss Malayalam 7 is delivering high-voltage drama early in the season. Whether this twist results in someone being sent home immediately remains to be seen. One thing's clear: the game has officially begun.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hulk Hogan's son checks his NYC bar weeks after his unfortunate death
Image via Film Magic: Nick Hogan and Hulk Hogan Following the unfortunate death of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, his son Nick Hogan was recently spotted checking Hogan's NYC bar. He was seen in the bar weeks after his unfortunate death on July 24, 2025, at his Clearwater residence at the age of 71. The WWE icon succumbed to a sudden cardiac arrest, and a private funeral service for Hulk Hogan was set for Tuesday in Clearwater, Tampa. Reports suggest that Hogan's NYC bar is still moving forward despite his tragic passing last month, and his son, Nick, made sure to stop by and check in on the progress while in town for WWE SummerSlam last weekend. Nick Hogan was spotted checking his father's NYC bar following Hulk Hogan's death Nick Hogan was spotted checking his father's NYC bar following Hulk Hogan's death. He checked in on one of his dad Hulk Hogan's last business projects while in New York City, and it seemed he was quite satisfied with the progress. Nick visited Hulk's planned Slam bar, which will be located near Madison Square Garden, while he was in town for WWE SummerSlam last weekend. Reports suggest that the 9,000-square-foot sports bar is set to have a wall of windows facing MSG, where Hulk made his WWE debut in 1979. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo As for the interior, it will include memorabilia from Hulk's career, and the bar will serve his Real American Beer. According to Rosen, Slam, which will also have a rooftop level, is still slated to open in the fall. Hulk Hogan Dead At 71 According to a photo obtained by TMZ recently, Nick stopped by with business partner Rich Rosen, and they posed for a snap inside the under-construction establishment. Earlier, Rich Rosen told Page Six that Slam will still open later this year despite Hogan's death last month at age 71. He stated, Hulk Hogan wasn't just a partner. He was a dear friend and a legend whose impact on sports and entertainment is immeasurable. From the very beginning, Hulk poured his heart into this project. Further, he said, 'He shaped the spirit of what Slam was meant to be, a place where fans from around the world could gather at the very corner where his legend began, to celebrate his legacy and the unforgettable moments that defined his career.' Rosen added, 'Slam will open its doors as a living tribute to Hulk Hogan, right across from Madison Square Garden, the place he called home. It will be the greatest sports entertainment venue New York has ever seen. This is for Hulk, and for every person whose life was touched by the power of Hulkamania.' Hulk Hogan's funeral set for Tuesday in Clearwater Family and friends of professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan will say their final goodbyes Tuesday at a private funeral service in Clearwater on Tuesday, August 5, in Clearwater, Florida. The 71-year-old icon passed away on July 24 following a heart attack at his home on Clearwater Beach. Also read : Hulk Hogan was a bullshitter" – Bret Hart makes shocking claims about rivalry with Hulk Hogan | WWE News - Times of India As tributes continue to pour in from his fans and the WWE Universe, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proclaimed a 'Hulk Hogan Day' and ordered flags lowered to half-staff in Pinellas County to honor his enduring wrestling legacy. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
