Shyam Benegal dies at 90

Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to Indian cinema, has passed away at the age of 90. 

Benegal, who recently marked his 90th birthday with family and close friends in Mumbai, leaves behind a legacy of award-winning films, including Ankur, Bhumika, Manthan, and Nishant. 

Actor Shabana Azmi, who debuted with Benegal's Ankur, had shared a photograph from the celebration on her X (formerly Twitter) account, alongside actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Shyam Benegal was instrumental in shaping Indian parallel cinema during the 1970s and 1980s. His films, known for their realism and social commentary, departed from the conventions of mainstream cinema. Over his illustrious career, he won numerous National Film Awards for works such as:

Bhumika: The Role (1977), Junoon (1978), Arohan (1982), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004), Manthan (1976), and Well Done Abba (2010).

Benegal’s last directorial venture was the 2023 biographical drama Mujib: The Making of a Nation, which explored the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh.

Earlier this year, his acclaimed film Manthan (1976) was screened at the Cannes Film Festival under the Cannes Classics segment. 

The film, inspired by Dr Verghese Kurien’s pioneering milk cooperative movement, featured Naseeruddin Shah and the late Smita Patil. It won two National Film Awards in 1977—Best Feature Film in Hindi and Best Screenplay—and was India’s official entry to the 1976 Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

Recalling the film’s impact, Benegal noted how Gujarat's farmers made Manthan a success by attending mass screenings, a testament to the profound connection his works forged with audiences.

In a recent interview with PTI on his birthday, Benegal shared his thoughts on aging and his passion for filmmaking: “We all grow old. I don’t do anything great (on my birthday). It may be a special day, but I don’t celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team. I’m working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It’s difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen.”