Legendary Bollywood filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away at the age of 90, ten days after his birthday on December 14. His untimely demise came while undergoing treatment for chronic kidney disease in the ICU at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. Survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter Pia Benegal, Shyam Benegal leaves behind a legacy as a pioneer of parallel cinema in India.
Benegal was instrumental in redefining Indian parallel cinema during the 1970s and 1980s, a period marked by creativity and a new wave of storytelling. Known for his realistic portrayals and thought-provoking social commentary, he wrote and directed several award-winning classics such as Mammo, Sardari Begum, Bhumika, and Manthan. His significant body of work has left an indelible mark on Indian filmmaking.
His most recent creation, the biopic Mujib: The Making of a Nation, was released in 2023, demonstrating that his passion for cinema never waned. Remarkably, on his 90th birthday, Benegal revealed plans to work on two or three new projects, signaling his unwavering commitment to storytelling. A recipient of 18 national awards and the Padma Bhushan in 1991, he was also honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005, solidifying his place as a legend in the world of Indian cinema.