Shyam Benegal, starting from scratch in cinema, discovered talents like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and Smita Patil in the ’70s art film movement. Naseeruddin Shah got noticed despite his unconventional look, while Smita Patil’s TV presence captivated Benegal. Shabana Azmi, though not the first choice for Ankur, impressed Benegal, leading to her significant roles.