Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at 90 | Obituaries News

A pioneer of new wave cinema in India, Benegal was celebrated for his films addressing social issues.

Shyam Benegal, the acclaimed Indian filmmaker who spearheaded a 1970s new wave film movement with films that addressed social issues, has died at the age of 90 due to chronic kidney disease.

He was celebrated for his contributions to cinema as a director, editor and screenwriter, and is credited with pioneering a new film genre.

Benegal died on Monday at Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital and his cremation will take place on Tuesday, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing his daughter Pia.

“I had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten much worse. That is the reason for his death,” Pia said.

Numerous tributes to the legendary filmmaker poured in on social media platforms.

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt wrote that Benegal told unpretentious stories. “They were raw and real, about the struggles of ordinary people. “His films had art and conviction.”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who worked with the filmmaker, called him “a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations.”

A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal was not just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him on Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me as it exposed me to his unique storytelling style and nuances… pic.twitter.com/EH0eosqkAR

– manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 23, 2024

Benegal mentored top Indian actors including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri, who left their mark on bollywoodPopular cinema too.

“I have lost my adoptive father, a man to whom I owe more than I can say,” Naseeruddin Shah posted.

“Deeply saddened by the demise of Shyam Benegal, whose narration had a profound impact on Indian cinema. His works will continue to be admired by people from different walks of life,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.

Benegal rose to prominence in the 1970s, with a series of films that challenged mainstream Bollywood. His films Ankur (1974), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977) represented a parallel cinema that addresses the social realities of a poor nation.

Ankur explored the feudal divide in India, while Manthan drew on the history of the country’s milk cooperative movement.

Benegal was widely known for his series Bharat Ek Khoj, a landmark 53-episode television series based on the book Discovery of India, written by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, which chronicled the country’s turbulent times, from antiquity to modernity.

He also directed a 2023 biopic about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh’s freedom struggle against Pakistan in the 1970s. Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India in August following a student movement , is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Hindi cinema can be divided into pre and post Shyam Benegal. There are many who have leaned on the shoulders of this intrepid and innovative filmmaker. Salaam, Shyambabu. pic.twitter.com/13h6khJEb1

– Raja Sen (@RajaSen) December 23, 2024

Benegal was born in December 1934, in Hyderabad, southern India, and had an early launch in the world of cinema. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hyderabad’s Osmania University and founded the Hyderabad Film Society. He also ventured into advertising, where he directed at least 900 documentaries and sponsored advertising films.

Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter Pia.