Renowned Hyderabadi filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who brought Indian cinema to international standards, passed away at 90. Known for master storytelling and his contribution to parallel cinema, Benegal leaves behind an indelible mark on Indian film history. He was suffering from kidney-related diseases and passed away at 6:38 PM in a Mumbai hospital on Monday, according to his family.
Shyam Benegal was born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad. He did his graduation from Secunderabad Mahabub College, Nizam College, and Osmania University. His survivors include his wife, Neera Benegal, and daughter, Pia Benegal.
In 1959, Benegal entered the field as a copywriter for an advertising agency in Mumbai. His career as a filmmaker took a good deal of pace when his first feature film Ankur gained critical acclaim and made him a pioneer of realistic films.
Some of his iconic films are:
He leaves behind one last film, Mujib: The Making of a Nation, released last year. He continued to tell his stories, even though through feature films, Benegal directed several short films, documentaries, and serials. Among his other adaptations was Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Discovery of India, a serial on the television screen.
He wrote Amaravati Kathalu, a series on Telugu literature, and documented Satyajit Ray and Subhash Chandra Bose in documentaries.
Shyam Benegal's creative work received many national and international accolades, which include:
Besides his cinematic work, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha and had made an impact on the Indian cultural and political landscape.
President Draupadi Murmu, along with prominent film and political figures, expressed their condolences on Benegal’s passing. His legacy as a visionary filmmaker and storyteller will continue to inspire generations to come.
