Watch: Shyam Benegal passes away at the age of 90
Filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a stalwart of Indian cinema and one of the guiding stars of the parallel cinema movement, passed away on Monday (December 23, 2024) in Mumbai due to kidney-related ailments. He was 90 years old.
Benegal is famous for poignant and powerful films like Ankur, Nishant, Mandi, Manthan And ZubaidaConstantly experimenting with the cinematic form, it examined the many fault lines of Indian society, dealing with issues of feudalism, caste and women’s liberation. His vast filmography boasts of many masterpieces that changed the direction of Indian cinema. Working continuously in collaboration with the state, he produced many of his films under the banner of Sahyadri Films.
Also read: Reactions to Shyam Benegal’s death LIVE
Shyam Benegal in his office in Mumbai. , Photo Courtesy: Vivek Bendre
Benegal was admitted to the ICU at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. His daughter Pia Benegal confirmed the news of his demise PTI: “He died at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for many years but it had worsened. This is the cause of his death,” he said.
Mourning sprout Naseeruddin Shah shared a text message on the director’s death: “It is impossible to describe in a few words what Shyam meant to me. I wonder what I would have been like if he didn’t believe in me when no one else believed in me. He and Neera (Benegal, wife) were huge supports in my difficult days. He did whatever he could till the end of his life. Not many people can claim to do that.”
Read this also Hometown Memories: Shyam Benegal
Known for his irrepressible energy and wit, Benegal worked across a range of media, using photography, film, theater and long-form television to depict the journey of post-independence India. He was born in Hyderabad in 1934; His grandmother was from the family of Indian director Guru Dutt; Thus they were second cousins. After an early career in advertising, Benegal taught at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and made documentaries, directing his first feature film. sproutIn 1974. A poignant tale of class and caste, the film stars Shabana Azmi in her first release.
Throughout his career, Benegal formed a strong partnership with Govind Nihalani as cinematographer and Vanraj Bhatia as composer, and assembled a troupe of now-legendary actors: Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Amrish Puri, Ananth. Nag, Om Puri, Saeed Jaffrey, KK Raina and others. A particularly fruitful collaboration was his bond with Shashi Kapoor, who starred in Passion (1978) and Kalyug (1981). She was the flame towards which everyone was attracted.
Read this also No such thing as retirement as a filmmaker: Shyam Benegal
Even as the country and its cinema changed, Benegal continued to work and found her place in mainstream Bollywood. He was a gentle, inspiring presence at his Tardeo office in Mumbai and at many national and international film festivals and forums. Recipient of 18 National Awards, he was awarded the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, India’s fourth and third highest civilian awards respectively, as well as the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Despite his serious nature and reputation, he had a knack for humorous anecdotes, starting with his confusing black-and-white second feature. Charandas thief, Which he made for the Children’s Film Society of India.
His final career output was filled with biopics and satires: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Welcome to Sajjanpur and Well Done AbbaIn 2023, after a significant break, he released Mujib: The Making of a NationSheikh Mujibur Rahman’s biopic.
Earlier this year, a 4-K restoration of Benegal’s 1976 masterpiece was released churn It was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, India’s first crowdfunded film, took inspiration from the dairy cooperative revolution in Anand, Gujarat.
published – December 23, 2024 08:21 PM IST
