For actor Karisma Kapoor Shyam Benegal was like a second grand father. The actor recalls her experience of working with the veteran filmmaker in Zubeidaa, while she appreciates his nuanced storytelling skills.

Karisma Kapoor stated that the film Zubeidaa has been a highlight of her career evolving her both as an actor and as a person, which was different from what she was doing at that point of her career. She tells how Shyam Benegal understood her transition and supported her. She appreciated the film makers nuanced approach, while his films portrayed raw unfiltered truth. Through his characters he delved into the struggles of human existence, which was inspiring.

In an interview she told, that for Zubeidaa she wore real jewellery lent by the royal family which helped her to fully get into the character of royalty which she played. She said, “Shyamji had an incredible eye for detail and authenticity and his guidance was gentle yet profound. He would help me understand her character and emotional vulnerability while he would share insights about Zubeidaa’s motivations. He was dedicated to telling her story authentically, and that inspired me to give my best to the role.”