Mumbai:
Shyam Benegal, who started the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s with work known for its realism and social commentary that broke away from the conventions of mainstream Indian cinema – has died at the age of 90.
The legendary filmmaker is survived by his wife Neera Benegal and daughter Pia Benegal.
He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, just days after he turned 90 on December 14.
His daughter Pia Benegal said that her father was suffering from chronic kidney disease.
“He died at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He was suffering from chronic kidney disease for many years, but it had worsened. This is the reason for his death,” Ms Pia said.
On his 90th birthday, Shyam Benegal told news agency PTI that he was working on two-three projects.
He had said, “We all grow old. I don’t do anything big (on my birthday). It may be a special day but I don’t celebrate it particularly. I cut the cake in the office with my team. “
Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent visits to the hospital for dialysis three times a week, Shyam Benegal remained committed to his passion for filmmaking till the end.
“I am working on two to three projects; they are all different from each other. It is difficult to say which project I will make. They are all for the big screen,” he told PTI on December 14.
His most recent film was the 2023 biographical film ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’.
In his illustrious career, Shyam Benegal has made films, documentaries and television serials on diverse issues, including ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ and ‘Samvidhaan’. His films include ‘Bhumika’, ‘Junoon’, ‘Mandi’, ‘Sooraj Ka Satvan Ghoda’, ‘Mammo’ and ‘Sardari Begum’, which are counted among the classic films in Hindi cinema.
He was born in Hyderabad to Sridhar B Benegal, a prominent photographer. He was also the second cousin of the great Indian litterateur Guru Dutt.
Shyam Benegal started his career as a copywriter, and made his first documentary film in Gujarati ‘Gher Baitha Ganga’ in 1962. His first four feature films were ‘Ankur’ (1973), ‘Nishant’ (1975), ‘Manthan’ (1976). ) and ‘Bhumika’ (1977) made him a pioneer of the new wave film movement of that era.
He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.
Her film ‘Mandi’ (1983), is known for its satire on politics and prostitution. Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil starred in the film. Later, while working on his story based on the last days of the Portuguese in Goa in the early 1960s, Shyam Benegal explored human relationships in ‘Trikaal’.
With inputs from PTI
