Uncover the powerful alternative visions of India through Shyam Benegal’s influential cinema. This compelling study examines his films, tracing the evolution of his aesthetics and their engagement with post-colonial India’s socio-political landscape. Explore how narratives from Manthan to Zubeidaa masterfully blend mythology, history, and folk tales, offering profound insights into identity, women’s lives, and marginalized communities. An essential read for film studies scholars, cultural historians, and enthusiasts of Indian cinema eager to understand its deeper cultural dialogues.