Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who had been unwell for an extended period, passed away at the age of 90. He took his last breath at 6:39 PM at Vokart Hospital in Mumbai Central.
Shyam Benegal, born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad, grew up in a Konkani-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. His father, Sridhar B. Benegal, a photographer from Karnataka, sparked Shyam’s passion for filmmaking by gifting him a camera. At just 12 years old, Shyam made his first film. He later earned a Master’s degree in Economics from Osmania University, Hyderabad, where he founded the Hyderabad Film Society, laying the foundation for his remarkable career in cinema.
Benegal’s cinematic excellence earned him the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991, two of India’s highest civilian honors. His celebrated films include Ankur, Manthan, Mandi, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Zubeidaa, Well Done Abba, and Sardari Begum, among others.
Shyam Benegal made his feature film directorial debut with Ankur (1974), starring Anant Nag and Shabana Azmi. The film garnered widespread critical acclaim, winning the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film and becoming a landmark in the careers of all involved. His third film, Nishant (1975), marked an even greater milestone, earning a nomination for the Palme d’Or at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. With an ensemble cast including Girish Karnad, Shabana Azmi, Anant Nag, Amrish Puri, Smita Patil, and Naseeruddin Shah, Nishant remains a testament to Benegal’s mastery of the craft.
Benegal’s other acclaimed works include Manthan, Bhumika: The Role, Junoon, Arohan, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Well Done Abba, Mammo, Sardari Begum, and Zubeidaa. His remarkable contributions to cinema earned him the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991, cementing his legacy as one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers.
