Shyam Benegal – the beacon of India’s parallel cinema movement is no more

Shyam Benegal – the beacon of India’s parallel cinema movement is no more

Shyam Benegal – the pioneer, beacon of India’s parallel cinema movement during the 1970s and 1980s breathed his last today. He was ninety years old.

Shyam Benegal was admitted to the ICU of Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital, just days after he turned 90 on December 14.

As per reports, Shyam Benegal lovingly called as Shyam baba by his near and dear ones was suffering from chronic kidney disease.

Shyam Benegal’s daughter Pia has been quoted saying, "He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That's the reason for his death,".

As per PTI reports, Shyam Benegal was working on two-three projects. He has been quoted saying, “ We all grow old. I don't do anything great (on my birthday). It may be a special day but I don't celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team,".

His most recent film was the 2023 biographical 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation'.

Born in Hyderabad, Shyam Benegal’s father Sridhar B Benegal was a well-known photographer. Shyam Benegal - the second cousin of the legendary Indian filmmaker Guru Dutt began as a copywriter, and made his first documentary film in Gujarati, 'Gher Betha Ganga' in 1962. His first feature film Ankur (1974) saw the debut of actor Anant Nag and it was actress Shabana Azmi’s first release. Ankur won three National Film Awards and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 24th Berlin International Film Festival. After that Shyam Bengal never looked back and went on to win eighteen National Film awards. His movies like Nishant (1976), Manthan (1977), Bhumika: The Role (1978), Junoon (1979), Arohan (1982), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005), Well Done Abba (2009) remain unique in presenting the social economic scenario of the country and are great character study and analysis of human behavior.

 Shyam Benegal also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.

Shyam Benegal also made his mark on television with unforgettable series like ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ and ‘Katha Sagar’.

In 2005, Shyam Benegal was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema.

Earlier in 1976, Shyam Benegal was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri, in 1991 Shyam Benegal was awarded Padma Bhushan.

The legendary filmmaker is survived by wife Nira Benegal and daughter, Pia Benegal.

 

We at cineblues pray for eternal peace of the departed soul

 

 

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