Filmmaker Shyam Benegal passes away at the age of 90 | Hindi Movie News

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, known for his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema, has passed away at the age of 90 on December 23. A pioneer of parallel cinema, Benegal’s work in both mainstream and art films earned him widespread acclaim for its realism, depth, and storytelling excellence. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian filmmaking.
The director marked his 90th birthday on December 14 with a celebration surrounded by friends and family. Among the guests were actors Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Naseeruddin Shah, Divya Dutta, Shabana Azmi, Rajit Kapur, Atul Tiwari, filmmaker-actor Kunal Kapoor (son of Shashi Kapoor), and others who joined in the grand occasion.
He was renowned for his realistic storytelling and insightful social commentary, which set his work apart from mainstream cinema.
Benegal was recognised by the Government of India with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his contributions to Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal was renowned for directing iconic films such as Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), Bhumika (1977), Mammo (1994), Sardari Begum (1996), and Zubeidaa (2001), among many others. His work was celebrated for its deep social commentary and realistic portrayal of Indian society.