Munshi Premchand, father of modern Indian fiction: Shyam Benegal

Varanasi, July 30 (UNI) Terming legendary novelist Munshi Premchand the ''father of modern Indian fiction,'' celebrated film-maker Shyam Benegal today said many more films could be made on the masterpieces penned by the famed writer.

''If Gorky and Tolstoy are the parents of Russian literature, Munshi Premchand is the father of modern Indian fiction,'' Mr Benegal, also a Rajya Sabha member, said.

''In the past films like Hira Moti, Kafan and Shatranj ke Khiladi and tele-serials like Nirmala, besides a series by Gulzar have been made on classics penned by Premchand, but there was boundless scope left to film the classics penned by the legendary novelist,'' Mr Benegal added.

On being queried which of his novel he would prefer to make a film, Mr Benegal said it was difficult to choose.

''All his creations are masterpieces and selecting one of them to make a film was very difficult,'' he added.

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