Legendary Filmmaker Shyam Benegal Passes Away: Pioneer of Art Cinema, 8-Time National Award Winner
Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, celebrated for iconic movies like Manthan and Ankur, passed away at the age of 90. The acclaimed director, who had been battling chronic kidney disease, breathed his last at 6:38 PM at Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital, as confirmed by his daughter Piya Benegal.
Battling Chronic Illness
Piya shared that Shyam Benegal had been undergoing dialysis due to complete kidney failure. Despite his health challenges, he remained active in various creative projects until his final days.
A Cinematic Trailblazer
Known as the pioneer of India's art cinema movement, Benegal's illustrious career included masterpieces like Zubeidaa, The Making of the Mahatma, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Mandi, and Welcome to Sajjanpur. His work earned him 8 National Awards and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Over his lifetime, he directed 24 feature films, 45 documentaries, and over 1,500 ad films. He was honored with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991.
He created ‘the new wave’ cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man that changed the direction of Indian Cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan and countless others. He created stars out great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide pic.twitter.com/5r3rkX48Vx
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) December 23, 2024
Early Career and Contributions
Before venturing into cinema, Benegal explored photography and economics. He directed his first film at the age of 12, using a camera owned by his father, Sridhar B. Benegal. His transition to cinema marked a significant shift in Indian storytelling, with an emphasis on realism and social commentary.
Tributes Pour In
The film industry mourned his loss, with several celebrities expressing their condolences. Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur wrote, "Shyam Benegal brought a new wave to Indian cinema. He will be remembered for masterpieces like Ankur and Manthan, and for nurturing stars like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell, my friend and mentor."
