The occasion was the release of a book that traces Benegal's career spanning over four decades. It was an expression of gratitude by lovers of meaningful cinema to a man who right from his first feature film "Ankur" in 1974 to his latest "Zubeidaa" in 2000 has explored the conflicts and flux in society.

It was a fitting tribute to Benegal who has made feature films, two feature length documentaries on India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and master film-maker Satyajit Ray who has had strong influence on Benegal, and a mega television serial based on Nehru's famous book "Discovery of India" in the last three decades.

Among the subjects dealt with, by the 64-year-old Benegal, in films like "Ankur", "Nishaant," "Manthan" and "Bhumika" are exploitation of women, feudalism in industrial or royal household and hurdles and development of workers' cooperatives.

A sizable portion of Benegal's focuses on the struggle of women, trying to make their voices heard, against all forms of society and films like "Ankur", "Bhumika", "Nishaant", "Manthan", "Mandi" and "Sardari Begum" are examples of that.

To Benegal also goes the credit of bringing out the acting talent of the likes of Shabana Azmi, who made film debut in "Ankur", Smita Patil, Om Puri, and Naseeruddin Shah as they put up an impressive performance in a number of films directed by him.

Whether as an art film-maker for thirteen years or as a director of feature films, Benegal's mission has remained unaltered, to reach out to the audience the way he wants to. And in this, he never made any compromise.

What is remarkable about Benegal is that he is one of the few directors to have not only survived, but also flourished in Bollywood. These films were difficult to attract funds in an industry, where the mainstream cinema is steeped in commercialism.

"The fact is that I have always done things I have wanted to do, without considering the demand-supply factor. This is the reason why I have survived in the film industry for as long as I have," Benegal told an interviewer.

Benegal believes that film-makers must reflect the contemporary problems in society and one of the best examples of this finds reflected in his film "Kalyug" where the clash between two rival groups of industrial families was seen by critics as a transportation of the Mahabharata epic to modern times. Actor Victor Banerjee put up an impressive performance in the film.

Three years ago, Benegal came out with another powerful social commentary on the evils of caste prejudices in Indian society through his film "Samar." It shows the problem is not confined among villagers but also among urban and educated.

Concern with socially-relevant themes has not deflected Benegal's passion for period film and personalities. He is now busy shooting a feature film on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose titled "Netaji -- The Last Hero." It is expected to be release in January next.

Publication of books by Benegal and holding of retrospectives of his films might be considered by some as symbolizing the twilight of a person's career. But it is not so, when it comes to Benegal. He is determined to direct as long as he can. And nothing could be better news for cinema.