Film Industry Grieves the Loss of Shyam Benegal
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Mumbai, Dec 23 (NationPress) The esteemed filmmaker Shyam Benegal has sadly passed away at the age of 90 in Mumbai on Monday. Members of the film industry took to social media to convey their condolences in response to the loss of this legendary figure in cinema.
National Award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee shared a heartfelt tribute on his X account, formerly known as Twitter, reflecting on the impact of the legend's work. He stated, “A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend; he was a visionary who transformed storytelling and inspired generations. Collaborating with him in Zubeidaa was a life-changing experience for me, as it opened my eyes to his distinctive narrative style and his deep understanding of performances.”
He continued, “I will always cherish the invaluable lessons I learned under his guidance. It was a profound honor to have the chance to work alongside him. His legacy will endure through the stories he crafted and the lives he influenced. Rest in peace Shyam Babu, Om Shanti.”
Superstar Akshay Kumar also expressed his sorrow on X, writing, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Shyam Benegal ji. He was truly one of the finest filmmakers in our nation, a true legend. Om Shanti.”
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur posted on X, “He gave birth to ‘the new wave’ of cinema. #shyambenegal will be eternally remembered as the man who altered the course of Indian cinema with masterpieces like Ankur, Manthan, and many others. He transformed great actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil into stars. Farewell, my friend and mentor.”
Actress Kajol expressed her sadness, stating, “I am profoundly saddened by the loss of the iconic Shyam Benegal. His contributions to Indian cinema are invaluable, and his legacy will continue through his remarkable body of work.”
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra remarked, “If there’s one thing Shyam Benegal excelled at, it was capturing the poetry of ordinary faces and lives. Much will be written about him, but few acknowledge that his films conveyed a sense of lament and a sadness that we weren’t living in the best of all possible worlds.”
Veteran Telugu actor Chiranjeevi shared, “I am deeply saddened by the departure of Shri Shyam Benegal, one of our nation's greatest filmmakers and intellectuals. He discovered and nurtured some of India’s brightest cinematic talents. His films, biographies, and documentaries are integral parts of India’s cultural heritage! As a fellow Hyderabadi and former Rajya Sabha member, Benegal ji’s exceptional works will always be cherished in Indian cinema! Rest In Peace, Sir.”
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta posted a tribute on his Instagram, sharing a picture of the late filmmaker with the caption, “Among the last of our great filmmakers. Go well Shyam Babu. Thank you for inspiring so many, thank you for the cinema, and thank you for giving flawed characters and tough stories such dignity.”
Shyam Benegal is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest filmmakers post-1970s, having received numerous accolades including 18 National Film Awards, a Nandi Award, the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema, as well as the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Born in Hyderabad to Sridhar B. Benegal, who was notable in photography, he was also the second cousin of the legendary Indian filmmaker Guru Dutt.
He began his career as a copywriter and made his first documentary film in Gujarati, ‘Gher Betha Ganga’, in 1962. His first four feature films, ‘Ankur’ (1973), ‘Nishant’ (1975), ‘Manthan’ (1976), and ‘Bhumika’ (1977), established him as a pioneer of the new wave cinema movement during that era.
He also held the position of Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.
