Gulzar, Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah Honor Film Icon Shyam Benegal

Mumbai, Dec 24 (NationPress) Iconic figures from Bollywood, including Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah, Gulzar, and Boman Irani, gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of the legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal in Mumbai. They said their farewells to the late director, who sadly passed away on Monday evening.

Shabana Azmi made her acting debut in the film ‘Ankur’, which was also the first directorial project of Shyam Benegal. The film went on to win the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film in 1975.

Notable personalities like actress Divya Dutta and action choreographer Shyam Kaushal, father of Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal, were also seen paying their last tributes at Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium.

Earlier, Shabana took to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday to share updates regarding the filmmaker's funeral.

Shyam Benegal is hailed as one of the greatest filmmakers since the 1970s and has received numerous accolades, including 18 National Film Awards, a Nandi Award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India's highest honor in cinema, a Padma Shri, and a Padma Bhushan.

The filmmaker recently celebrated his 90th birthday in Mumbai.

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.

Shyam Benegal began his career as a copywriter and created his first documentary film in Gujarati, titled ‘Gher Betha Ganga’ in 1962. His initial four feature films—‘Ankur’ (1973), ‘Nishant’ (1975), ‘Manthan’ (1976), and ‘Bhumika’ (1977)—established him as a pioneer of the new wave cinema of that era.

He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.

Following his passing, numerous members of the film community expressed their condolences on social media.

Manoj Bajpayee, a National Award-winning actor, shared a heartfelt message on his X account, reminiscing about the legend. He wrote, “A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend; he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. My experience working with him in Zubeidaa was transformative, exposing me to his distinctive storytelling style and profound understanding of performances.”

He continued, “I’ll always be thankful for the lessons I learned under his guidance. It was a true privilege to work alongside him. His legacy will endure through the stories he narrated and the lives he influenced. Rest in peace, Shyam Babu, Om Shanti.”

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar also expressed his sorrow on X, saying, “I am saddened to hear of Shyam Benegal ji’s passing. He was one of the finest filmmakers our country has ever seen—a true legend. Om Shanti.”

Shekhar Kapur posted on X, “He crafted ‘the new wave’ cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man who redirected Indian cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan, and many more. He turned great actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil into stars. Farewell, my friend and mentor.”