Veteran Filmmaker Shyam Benegal Passes Away At 90
Veteran Filmmaker Shyam Benegal Passes Away At 90
Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, celebrated as a pioneer of parallel cinema in India, passed away at the age of 90 on December 23, 2024. He breathed his last at 6:30 PM at Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for chronic kidney issues in the advanced stage of the illness.
Benegal’s daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed the news, saying, “My father passed away this evening. The decision regarding his last rites will be made shortly.”
Shyam Benegal was a towering figure in Indian cinema, known for iconic films like Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, and Junoon. His debut film Ankur introduced the industry to Shabana Azmi and won a National Award. Over his illustrious career, his movies like Nishant, Manthan, Kalyug, and Aarohan earned critical acclaim and multiple National Awards.
His masterful depiction of social and cultural issues, particularly through parallel cinema, redefined Indian filmmaking. Benegal’s contributions include the Urdu classic Sardari Begum, the historical masterpiece Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, and the much-loved Well Done Abba.
Benegal’s works brought out the best in actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, and Shabana Azmi, establishing them as stalwarts of Indian cinema.
In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award and 18 National Film Awards. He was also conferred the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991.
Benegal’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian cinema, leaving a void in the world of parallel filmmaking.
