Renowned film director, screenwriter and producer Shyam Benegal passed away on Monday, December 23 in Mumbai. He breathed his last at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central. His last rites will be performed today at Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium. His body has reached the crematorium in an ambulance for last rites. Actor Atul Tiwari was also present in the ambulance.
Shyam Benegal holds the record for winning the most National Awards. He has been honored with this award for 8 films.
While bringing Shyam Benegal's dead body out of the hospital
Shyam Benegal's body was kept in an ambulance
Actor Atul Tiwari was also present with the body of Shyam Benegal in the ambulance.
Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Boman Irani also attended Shyam Benegal's funeral.
Shyam Benegal was accorded a gun salute at Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium.
Made the first film with father's camera Shyam Sundar Benegal was born on December 14, 1934 in a Brahmin family in Hyderabad. He studied economics. Later started photography. He is also considered as the father of art cinema in Bollywood. When he was twelve years old, he worked with his photographer father Sridhar B. Made his first film on a camera given to him by Benegal. He is survived by his wife Neera Benegal and daughter Pia Benegal.
Celebrated 90th birthday on 14th December
On Shyam Benegal's 90th birthday, Shabana Azmi shared this picture on her X account.
Actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil gave Hindi cinema
Shyam Benegal's films gave Indian cinema great actors, with Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Anant Nag, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil and cinematographer Govind Nihlani prominent.
Besides making documentaries on Jawaharlal Nehru and Satyajit Ray, he also directed the serials 'Yatra', 'Katha Sagar' and 'Bharat Ek Khoj' for Doordarshan.
Honored with 'Padma Shri' and 'Padma Bhushan', did 24 films Shyam has made 24 films, 45 documentaries and 15 ad films. He directed dozens of great films like 'Zubaida', 'The Making of the Mahatma', 'Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero', 'Mandi', 'Arohan', 'Welcome to Sajjanpur'.
For his contribution to the film industry, he was awarded 'Padma Shri' in 1976 and 'Padma Bhushan' in 1991. Apart from this, he has 8 National Awards in his account. He holds the record of winning the most National Awards.
Benegal was also awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honor of Indian cinema, in 2005.
The first film 'Ankur' was made in 1974 and the last film 'Mujib' was made in 2023.
Shyam Benegal made his first film 'Ankur' in 1974. In this film, he raised the issues of farmers of Andhra Pradesh. Whereas, 'Mujib – The Making of a Nation' was his last film. The shooting of Mujeeb lasted for two years. The film was based on the life of Mujibur Rahman.
Shyam started his career as a film director with the film 'Ankur' in 1974
Shyam Benegal is Guru Dutt's cousin He is the cousin of famous actor and filmmaker Guru Dutt. Shyam's father was fond of still photography. Shyam also often took photographs of children. Before making his debut film 'Ankur', he made many ad films for ad agencies. Before making films and commercials, Shyam worked as a copywriter.
Shyam Benegal promoting the film 'Nishant' at the Cannes Film Festival (1976). Actress Shabana Azmi was also present on this occasion.
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 man who changed the direction of Indian cinema with countless films like Ankur, Manthan. It 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!
Ila Arun: 'I am shocked and heartbroken by the demise of my mentor Shyam Benegal. I feel like I've lost my father.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
