Veteran filmmaker and screenwriter Shyam Benegal has passed away at the age of 90. He died on Monday at 6:38 PM at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, where he was undergoing treatment for chronic kidney disease. Tributes flooded in from across the film industry, with actors and directors mourning the loss of this legendary figure.
Actor Chiranjeevi expressed his grief on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Deeply saddened at the departure of Shri Shyam Benegal, one of the finest filmmakers and intellectuals of our country. He discovered and nurtured India’s brightest film talents. His films and documentaries are cultural treasures. A fellow Hyderabadi and former Rajya Sabha member, Benegal Sab’s works will always be revered. Rest in peace, Sir.”
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar shared his condolences, writing, “Pained to know of Shyam Benegal ji’s demise. Truly a legend. Om Shanti.”
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur called Benegal a pioneer of new wave cinema. “He created ‘the new wave’ cinema and changed Indian cinema’s direction with films like Ankur and Manthan. He also nurtured talents like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell, my friend and guide,” Kapur wrote.
Veteran actor Anupam Kher remembered Benegal’s generosity and wisdom. Recalling a meeting during the making of Mandi, Kher shared, “He told me, ‘I don’t have anything substantial for you in this film. Wait for something better.’ When Saaransh happened, he was thrilled for me. Goodbye Shyam Babu. Thank you for your brilliance and kindness.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee described Benegal as a visionary who redefined Indian storytelling. “Working with him in Zubeidaa was transformative. His legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he touched. Rest in peace, Shyam Babu,” Bajpayee wrote.
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai called Benegal a mentor and inspiration, particularly for younger filmmakers. “Shyam Benegal’s teachings and focus on social issues will always guide us. He shaped filmmaking education at Whistling Woods International. RIP, Sir,” Ghai said.
Tributes continued with director Karan Johar writing on Instagram, “RIP Sir. Thank you for your cinema and for pushing boundaries.” Kajol called him a “legend whose contributions to Indian cinema are immeasurable.” Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra reflected on Benegal’s unique storytelling, stating, “There was a lament in his films about the world not being the best it could be.”
Benegal’s films like Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, and Bhumika made him a pioneer of Indian parallel cinema in the 1970s and 1980s. He received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times and was honored with the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad, Benegal collaborated with talented actors from the Film and Television Institute of India and the National School of Drama, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, and Amrish Puri. His movies tackled socio-political themes with unmatched depth and left an indelible mark on audiences.
His most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), was an India-Bangladesh collaboration that chronicled the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Shot during the Covid-19 pandemic, the film was another milestone in his career.
Apart from films, Benegal made notable contributions to Indian television with series like Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan. He served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation from 1980 to 1986 and was part of prestigious juries, including the 14th Moscow International Film Festival and the 35th National Film Awards.
Shyam Benegal’s unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema, documentaries, and television will continue to inspire generations.
