Shyam Benegal, India’s parallel cinema pioneer, dies at the age of 90

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who ushered in India’s parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s with films like “Ankur,” “Nishant” and “Manthan,” died on Monday, his daughter Pia said. He was 90.

The filmmaker died of chronic kidney disease at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, Pia Benegal told PTI.

“He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had suffered from chronic kidney disease for several years, but it had become much worse. This is the reason for his death,” she said.

Wockhardt Hospital sources said Benegal was admitted to intensive care.

Over the course of his prolific career, Benegal made films on various subjects, documentaries and television series, including ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ and ‘Samvidhaan’. He had celebrated his 90th birthday just ten days ago, on December 14th.

The director told PTI on the occasion that he had to visit the hospital frequently and was on dialysis.

Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and his daughter.

His films include Bhumika, Junoon, Mandi, Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda, Mammo and Sardari Begum, most of which are among the classics of Hindi cinema.

The director’s most recent work was the 2023 biopic “Mujib: The Making of a Nation.”