Film auteur Shyam Benegal, the pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, died at 90 in Mumbai on Monday.
The veteran film director Shyam Benegal, considered the founder of Indian parallel cinema, took his last breath in Mumbai on Monday at 90. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai, just days after he had turned 90 on December 14. The legendary filmmaker’s wife Nira Benegal and daughter, Pia Benegal were his sources of strength in those difficult times related to his health.
His daughter Pia Benegal said that her father was suffering from chronic kidney disease. While sharing the news of his demise, Ms Pia said, “He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten worse. That’s the reason for his death.”
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The last rites of the director were conducted at 2 pm today in Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium, Mumbai. The news of the cremation ceremony was shared by veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who looked up to the director as a “guru”, on her Instagram stories. Despite age-related difficulties like frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Shyam Benegal remained committed to his passion for the art of filmmaking till the end.
Shyam Benegal began his career as a copywriter and created his first documentary film in Gujarati, Gher Betha Ganga in 1962. His first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976) and Bhumika (1977) made him the forefront of the new-wave film movement of that era. He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986.
During his entire career, Shyam Benegal has won numerous awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Shyam Benegal won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times, and in 2018, he received the V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier this year, a 4-K restoration of Benegal’s 1976 masterpiece and India’s first crowdfunded movie, Manthan was shown at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Shyam Benegal’s contribution to Indian cinema is transformative and irreplaceable. Team Wedding Affair is deeply saddened by the news and wishes his family peace and strength in this difficult time.
