Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away at 90

Mumbai: Filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement during the 1970s and 1980s, passed away on Monday, his daughter Pia Benegal confirmed. He was 90.

Benegal died due to chronic kidney disease at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. "He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years, but it had gotten very bad. That’s the reason for his death," Pia Benegal told PTI.

According to hospital sources, the filmmaker was admitted to the ICU. Benegal directed films addressing diverse themes, documentaries, and television series like Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan. Benegal celebrated his 90th birthday just ten days ago, on December 14. Speaking to PTI on the occasion, he shared that he was on dialysis and required frequent hospital visits.

He is survived by his wife, Nira Benegal, and daughter. The filmmaker’s repertoire includes acclaimed works such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Junoon, Mandi, Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda, Mammo, and Sardari Begum, many of which are regarded as classics in Hindi cinema. Benegal’s last directorial venture was the 2023 biographical film Mujib: The Making of a Nation.