Pioneering Indian film maker Shyam Benegal passes away at 90

Shyam Benegal, the acclaimed Indian filmmaker known for his pioneering contributions to Indian cinema and for addressing social issues through his work in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 90 after a prolonged battle with chronic kidney disease.

Benegal was celebrated as a director, screenwriter, and editor, and his films helped reshape Indian cinema by addressing the social realities of a nation struggling with poverty. He first rose to prominence with powerful films like Ankur (1974), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), and Bhumika (1977), which challenged the conventions of mainstream Bollywood.

The filmmaker died on Monday at Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital. His cremation will take place on Tuesday, according to the Press Trust of India, citing his daughter Piya. She revealed that his health had deteriorated due to chronic kidney disease, which he had been battling for several years.

Benegal’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the film industry and beyond. On social media platform X, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt paid homage to Benegal, describing his work as “raw and real,” with stories that focused on the struggles of ordinary people. “His films had craft and conviction,” Bhatt wrote.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, writing, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shyam Benegal, whose storytelling had a profound impact on Indian cinema. His works will continue to be admired by people from different walks of life.”

Benegal was a mentor to some of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors, including Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, and Om Puri, all of whom made their mark in both parallel and mainstream cinema. Actor Naseeruddin Shah, in his tribute, wrote, “I have lost my foster father, a man to whom I owe more than I can say.”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee described Benegal as a “visionary” who “redefined storytelling and inspired generations.”

Benegal’s film Ankur explored the feudal divide in India, while Manthan focused on the cooperative dairy milk movement. He also directed the landmark television series Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), a 53-episode adaptation of Jawaharlal Nehru’s book Discovery of India. The series chronicled the country’s complex journey from ancient times to modernity.

Through his distinctive storytelling and deep social commitment, Shyam Benegal remains one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema. His legacy continues to inspire filmmakers and audiences around the world.

Shyam Benegal, the legendary Indian filmmaker, also directed a 2023 biopic on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader who spearheaded Bangladesh’s struggle for independence from Pakistan in the 1970s. Rahman’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, who later became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, had fled to India during the turbulent period following a student movement, and her life is intertwined with the history Benegal depicted in his film.

Born in 1934 in Hyderabad, southern India, Benegal initially studied economics at Osmania University before venturing into the world of cinema. He played a foundational role in establishing the Hyderabad Film Society, an important cultural institution in the city. Benegal also had a significant career in advertising, directing over 900 sponsored documentaries and ad films, which helped refine his skills as a visual storyteller.

Benegal is survived by his wife, Nira Benegal, and leaves behind an immense legacy in Indian cinema that continues to influence filmmakers and audiences around the world.