A pioneer of new wave cinema in India, Benegal was celebrated for his films that addressed social issues.
Shyam Benegal, the celebrated Indian filmmaker who led the New Wave cinema movement in the 1970s with films that addressed social issues, has died of chronic kidney disease at the age of 90.
He has been celebrated for his contributions to cinema as a director, editor and screenwriter and is considered a pioneer of a new genre of filmmaking.
Benegal died on Monday at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai and his cremation will take place on Tuesday, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing his daughter Pia.
“He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years, but it had gotten very worse. That’s the reason for his death,” Pia said.
Tributes to the legendary filmmaker poured in on social media platforms.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt wrote that Benegal told stories without pretense. “They were raw and real and about the struggles of ordinary people. His films were crafted and convincing.”
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 wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me as I got to know his unique style of storytelling and nuanced stories. 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 made a name for themselves Bollywoodis also the popular cinema.
“I have lost my foster father, a man to whom I owe more than I can say,” wrote Naseeruddin Shah.
“I am 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,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.
Benegal came into the limelight 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 dealt with the social realities of a poor nation.
Ankur explored the feudal divide in India, while Manthan was based on the history of the country’s cooperative dairy movement.
Benegal was widely known for his series Bharat Ek Khoj, a groundbreaking 53-episode television series based on the book Discovery of India, written by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, chronicling the country’s difficult phases from ancient times to modern times.
In 2023, he also directed a 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 after a student movement, is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Hindi cinema can be divided into pre and post Shyam Benegal films. Too many have stood on the shoulders of this fearless and groundbreaking filmmaker. Salaam, Shyambabu. pic.twitter.com/13h6khJEb1
– Raja Sen (@RajaSen) December 23, 2024
Benegal was born in Hyderabad in southern India in December 1934 and was introduced to the world of cinema at an early age. He earned a degree in economics from Osmania University, Hyderabad and founded the Hyderabad Film Society. He also ventured into advertising, directing at least 900 sponsored documentaries and commercials.
Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and his daughter Pia.
