Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a pioneering figure in Indian parallel cinema during the 1970s and 1980s with iconic films such as Ankur, Nishant, and Manthan, passed away on Monday at the age of 90.
His daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed the news.
Benegal, who had been battling chronic kidney disease for several years, succumbed to the illness at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai.
Pia Benegal shared, “He passed away at 6:38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. His condition had worsened significantly due to the chronic kidney disease, and that was the cause of his death.”
On his 90th birthday, the veteran director, who remained active in the industry despite his health issues, shared with the media that he was still working on a few projects.
“We all grow old, but I don’t consider my birthday particularly special. I just cut a cake with my team at the office,” he had said.
Despite facing physical challenges, including regular dialysis sessions, Shyam Benegal remained dedicated to filmmaking until his last days.
“I am working on two to three different projects, all intended for the big screen. It’s hard to predict which one I will complete first,” he had remarked in a statement on December 14.
Benegal’s most recent film was Mujib: The Making of a Nation, a biographical project released in 2023.
His legacy as a trailblazer in Indian cinema remains unmatched.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur expressed his sorrow over Shyam Benegal’s passing by sharing a picture of the legendary director and writing, “He gave birth to ‘the new wave’ in cinema. #ShyamBenegal will always be remembered as the man who revolutionized Indian cinema with iconic films like Ankur, Manthan, and many more. He transformed great actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil into stars. Farewell, my friend and mentor.”
