Shyam Benegal, the filmmaker who changed the face of Indian cinema through his active involvement in the Parellel cinema movement, is no more. He was 90 at the time of death. The famous filmmaker, acclaimed for his harsh criticism of social issues and realism, died on December 23, 2024, at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. This was after battling chronic kidney disease for a long while. Death did not come as a shock to many as he had been bedridden. It was also fortunate that his family was with him at the hour of death. Benegal had been on dialysis three times a week for years and had just celebrated his 90th birth anniversary on December 14. He suffered from health problems, but he managed to work actively on a range of projects even during his last months. Pia Benegal, one of his daughters confirmed the news and added that his health had worsened in a period of time prior his demise because of his life-long struggle with kidney disease.
“Even to the end he was passionate about film making, even at the end, he was occupied with creative work,” Pia said. “He died calmly at 6:38 this evening.”
An Unbounded Contribution To Realism Alongside His Crazy Imagination
With the passing of Shyam Benegal, a chapter in the Indian film anthology comes to a close. As a director and storyteller, he was remarkable in how he articulated Hindi cinema in terms of political engagement and more socially responsible narratives. Benegal represented the new wave cinema, also called parallel cinema, which emerged in the 1960s in different parts of the world. His works often critique the political scape and focus on women’s issues, with some of his notable feminist films being “Namak Halaal”, “Keshav Paharwani” and “Babu Akhandanand.”
Benegal’s implant ody of works include Bhumika (1977), Junoon (1978), Mandi (1983), Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda (1992) and Mammo (1994). He unflinchingly dissected societal problems and questioned societal norms that portrayed the truth that was often left unsaid. In particular, Mandi offered a comical twist on themes of governance and the sex trade, with the two stars being Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil.
He was also popular for his outstanding achievements in the realm of television, such as Bharat Ek Khoj (1988) which is a historical series based on the writings of Jawaharlal Nehru, Discovery of India and Samvidhaan (2014), a series featuring the making of the Constitution of India
From Commercial Ads to the Big Screen
Shyam Benegal, born on October 14, 1934 in Hyderabad to famous photographer Sridhar B Benegal started out in a unique fashion. From being a copywriter, he made his first documentary Gher Betha Ganga in 1962 after which he ventured with his first feature film Ankur in 1973, later succeeding in the Parallel Cinema movement with projects such as Nishant and Manthan which were made in 1975 and 1976 respectively. Thereafter, Benegal rose to prominence with Bhumika, comprising a series of films alongside significant themes and characters which aligned with issues presented by the Mumbai based movement.
His films have become quite popular for their strong and sensitive stories that highlighted some of the largely hidden Indian angles. He had the real talent of presenting the history in the right perspective, with the great actors still able to amass emotions with every scene in the film.
Continued Passion Until the End
With time, as Benegal aged, he started facing numerous health issues yet his determination to keep working did not go down. As quoted by Benegal, “We all grow old, but I don’t do anything great on my birthday. It may be a special day but I don’t celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake with my team. It is just one benefit that my close friends do not forget to wish me.” He told the media on his 90th birthday as he had given up on holding back his passion for storytelling.
His latest struggle came in the form of the 2023 biographical movie Mujib: The Making of a Nation directed in honor of Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Benegal’s achievements are not restricted to only making films. He was the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986 and during these years, he worked towards the development of alternative cinema and independent filmmakers.
A Pioneer Remembered
The death of Shyam Benegal has created a void in Indian cinema. Nonetheless, Benegal’s works will never fade away, for he is a master storyteller at the core. He is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter Pia Benegal.
None deserving of praise more than Benegal, his legacy has inspired generations of filmmakers throughout India’s cinema, elevating him into one of the country’s most revered figures in history.
Final Farewell to a Filmmaker’s Vision
The late Benegal was not only a filmmaker, but someone who transformed a section of India’s cultural history. He steered the industry towards depicting contemporary themes with realistic concern and social progression; his films and ideas will resound through time in the same way.
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