Mumbai, Dec 23 (NationPress) Shyam Sunder S. Benegal, an esteemed multiple National Award recipient and a trailblazer of parallel cinema – with iconic films such as Junoon, Ankur, Manthan, Zubeida, and The Making of the Mahatma – has left us after a lengthy battle with a kidney ailment, according to his family on Monday.

Related to the legendary actor-director Guru Dutt as a second cousin, Benegal was 90 years old when he passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai. He is survived by his wife Nira and their daughter Pia.

Honored with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri (1976), Padma Bhushan (1991), and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2005), among numerous national and international accolades, Benegal recently celebrated his 90th birthday on December 14, surrounded by many colleagues from the film industry.

Details regarding the final rites of his remains have not yet been disclosed.

Born in Hyderabad on December 14, 1934, Benegal hailed from a Konkani-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahman background, with his father, Sridhar B. Benegal, being a photographer with roots in Karnataka.

At just 12 years old, young Shyam filmed a project with a camera gifted by his father, who fueled his passion for filmmaking that lasted over six decades.

Benegal later pursued an MA in Economics, founded the Hyderabad Film Society, and began his professional journey in 1959 as a copywriter at Lintas Advertising Agency in Mumbai, where he ascended to the role of Creative Head, producing over 900 commercials and sponsored documentaries.

In 1962, he directed his inaugural Gujarati documentary, “Gher Betha Ganga” (Ganga At Doorsteps), taught at the renowned Film & Television Institute of India from 1966 to 1973, and served as its Chairman twice (1980-1983 & 1989-1992).

With a portfolio of over 70 documentaries and short films, and experience in the USA, Benegal released his first full-length Hindi feature film, “Ankur” (1974), which catapulted him to fame, earning 3 National Awards alongside 43 additional national and international honors.

Throughout his illustrious career spanning more than 60 years, he produced numerous classics including “Manthan” (1976), “Bhumika” (1977), “Junoon”, “Kalyug” (1979), “Aarohan” (1982), “Mandi” (1983), “Trikaal” (1985), “Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda” (1993), “The Making of the Mahatma” (1996), “Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero” (2005), “Welcome to Sajjanpur” (2008), and “Mujib: The Making of a Nation” (2023), among others.

He also created significant and award-winning documentaries, including those on India’s inaugural Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, “Jawaharlal Nehru” (1982) and “Nehru” (1985), as well as features on legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, Tata Steel’s Platinum Jubilee, A Festival of India, Lost Childhood, and many more.

Benegal produced memorable television series such as “Yatra” (1986), “Bharat Ek Khoj” (1988), “Sankranti” (1997), and “Samvidhaan” (2014), among several others.

A wave of tributes has flooded social media, honoring Benegal from actors, actresses, producers, directors, his peers in the film community, media organizations, and a multitude of fans and admirers.