Shyam Benegal, Legendary Director Behind Indian Parallel Cinema, Dies at 90

Shyam Benegal, who was a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s, breathed his last on December 23. The filmmaker's daughter confirmed the news of his passing to PTI. Shyam Benegal was 90-years-old and passed away after fighting a chronic kidney disease.

Shyam Benegal's daughter confirms director's passing away

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who heralded the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s with films such as Ankur, Nishant and Manthan, died on Monday, his daughter Pia said. He was 90. The filmmaker passed away at Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital due to chronic kidney disease, Pia Benegal told PTI.

"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," she said. Wockhardt Hospital sources said Benegal had been admitted to the ICU. Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter.

Shyam Benegal recently celebrated his 90th birthday 

Benegal was a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s, creating a body of work known for its realism and social commentary. His films broke away from the conventions of mainstream Indian cinema. The filmmaker, who directed path-breaking films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Junoon, and Mandi, turned 90 on December 15.
 

“We all grow old. 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 at the office with my team,” Benegal told PTI. Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Benegal remains committed to his passion for filmmaking. “I’m working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It’s difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen,” said the director, whose most recent film was the 2023 biographical Mujib: The Making of a Nation.