Shyam Benegal, Renowned Filmmaker, Dies at 90
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Mumbai, Dec 23 (NationPress) The esteemed filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who was instrumental in shaping the parallel film movement in India, has sadly passed away in Mumbai on Monday.
The celebrated director had been battling a kidney ailment for some time and was receiving treatment at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai.
His final rites will take place in Mumbai at 10:00 am on Tuesday.
Shyam Benegal is widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers post the 1970s and was the recipient of numerous accolades, including 18 National Film Awards, a Nandi Award, the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest cinema honor, as well as the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
The filmmaker had recently marked his 90th birthday in Mumbai.
Born in Hyderabad to Sridhar B. Benegal, who was notable in the field of photography, he was also a second cousin to the legendary Indian filmmaker Guru Dutt.
Shyam Benegal began his professional journey as a copywriter and directed 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 during that era.
He also held the position of Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.
His film ‘Mandi’ (1983) is recognized for its sharp satire on politics and prostitution, featuring notable performances by Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Later, based on his own narrative reflecting the final days of Portuguese rule in Goa during the early 1960s, Shyam explored intricate human relationships in ‘Trikal’.
Known for his adaptability, when Hindi cinema faced a downturn in the 1980s with mainstream films struggling at the box office due to the rise of VCR, funding for parallel films dwindled significantly. Many filmmakers from this movement found it challenging to secure financing. However, Shyam Benegal pivoted to the emerging medium of television. His series ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ is celebrated as one of India’s iconic television programs.
