Shyam Benegal: The filmmaker who made stars, told India's story

Pioneering filmmaker dies at 90 after battling kidney disease

MUMBAI: Shyam Benegal, one of the most pioneering and influential filmmakers in the history of Indian cinema, passed away on Monday at the age of 90. Known for his groundbreaking work that reshaped Hindi cinema, Benegal's death marks the end of an era for the world of arthouse cinema and the parallel movement he championed in the 1970s and 1980s. He had been battling chronic kidney disease for several years, which led to his passing at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai.

Benegal's daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed the news, stating that her father had been suffering from the disease, which had worsened in recent times. His wife, Nira Benegal, survives him, and his daughter carries forward his legacy. Just nine days before his death, Benegal had celebrated his 90th birthday in the company of several actors he had worked with throughout his illustrious career. The photo of a smiling Benegal surrounded by actors such as Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, and Smita Patil is now a poignant reminder of his lasting influence on the world of cinema.

Shyam Benegal was born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad, into a middle-class family. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, he was exposed to literature, theatre, and films from an early age. His early education was at Osmania University in Hyderabad, where he studied economics, but his passion for storytelling soon steered him toward the world of cinema. Benegal's formative years were influenced by a keen interest in social issues and an emerging sense of the power of film as a medium for change. His early exposure to the works of legendary filmmakers and writers shaped his future in Indian cinema.

Benegal's contributions to Indian cinema span across more than 25 films, numerous documentaries, and ambitious television series.