Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who broke new ground in Indian parallel cinema, has passed away at the young age of 90. Known as Shyambabu, the filmmaker was suffering from kidney and age-related ailments for a long time. His daughter Piya Benegal has confirmed this. Shyam Benegal made unforgettable films like 'Ankur', 'Mandi', 'Sardari Begum', 'Zubaida'. He made the film 'Manthan' with Girish Karnad and Smita Patil on the white revolution of cooperative society in Gujarat.
According to information received, Shyam Benegal breathed his last on December 23 at 6:30 pm. He celebrated his 90th birthday nine days ago on December 14. Actress Shabana Azmi shared the pictures of the celebration on social media, in which Naseeruddin Shah and Shyam Benegal were seen in a cheerful mood.
Shyam Benegal's films gave Indian cinema great actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Anant Nag, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil and cinematographer-filmmaker Govind Nihalani.
Shyambabu was awarded Padma Shri in 1976 and Padma Bhushan in 1991 by the Government of India. He got National Award 8 times. While in 2005, he also received the 'Dadasaheb Phalke' award, the highest award of Indian cinema.
Starting with a Gujarati film
Born on 14 December 1934 in a middle class family in Hyderabad, Shyam Benegal made his first documentary film in Gujarati language titled 'Gherbethan Ganga' (1962). He happened to be the cousin of famous actor and film maker Guru Dutt. Shyambabu's father was fond of still photography. Shyam also often took photographs of children. After doing his MA in Economics, he started photography. Before making his debut film 'Ankur', he made many ad films for ad agencies. Before making films and adfilms, Shyambabu worked as a copywriter.
He started his feature film career with 'Ankur' (1974). With his first four films 'Ankur', 'Nishant' (1975), 'Manthan' (1976) and 'Bhumika' (1977), he ushered in a new wave in Indian parallel cinema and established him as a formidable auteur.
(From left) Kunal Kapoor (son of Shashi Kapoor), Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapoor and Divya Dutta with Shyambabu and Shabana Azmi at the 90th birthday party.
5 lakh farmers produced 'Manthan'
His film 'Manthan' on the white revolution of Varghese Kurian and the milk co-operative societies (Amul) inspired by him had the distinction of being India's first 'crowdfunded' film. 5 lakh farmers gave 2 rupees each to make this film, which was also noted in the film. Co-written with famous Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar, the film won the National Award and was also sent as India's official Oscar entry for the year 1976.
Shyam Benegal made 24 feature films, 45 documentary films, 15 ad films in his long and highly flamboyant career. For television, he made series like 'Katha Sagar', 'Bharat Ek Khoj', 'Amravati Ki Kathayen', 'Samvidhan' based on Jawaharlal Nehru's book 'Discovery of India'.
He also made documentaries on Satyajit Rai and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Shyam Benegal's other notable films include 'Junoon' (1979), 'Kalayug' (1981), 'Arohan' (1982), 'Trikal' (1985), 'Sooraj Ka Satwan Ghoda' (1993), 'Mammo' (1994), 'Sardari Begum' (1996), 'The Making of the Mahatma' (1996), 'Zubaida' (2001), 'Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero' (2005), 'Welcome to Sajjanpur' (2008) etc. Finally he made Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's biopic 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation' (2023).
Shyam Benegal started his career as a director with the film 'Ankur' in 1974.
Celebrities pay tribute to Shyam Benegal's death
Shekhar Kapur: Shyam Benegal brought a new wave in cinema. He will always be remembered as the person who changed the direction of Indian cinema with countless films like Ankur, Manthan. He starred great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and mentor.
Sudhir Mishra: If Shyam Benegal has expressed it best, it is the poetry of ordinary faces and ordinary lives!
Shyam Benegal with Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil while promoting his film Nishant at the Cannes Film Festival (1976).
Ila Arun: 'I am stunned and devastated by the demise of my Guru Shyam Benegal. I feel as if I have lost my father.'
Manoj Bajpayee: A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal was not just a legend, he was a visionary who gave storytelling a new direction and inspired generations. Working with him at Zubeda was a transformative experience for me. I will forever be indebted to him for what I learned under his guidance. His legacy will live on in his stories and the lives he touched. Goodbye Shyam Babu, Om Shanti.
Shyam Benegal's fiery film career
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
