Renowned director Shyam Benegal (90) has passed away. He had been suffering from a kidney-related disease for some time and passed away in a Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai on December 23. The film world was shocked by the news of Shyam Benegal's death. Many celebrities are mourning the death of legendary personality of Indian film industry.
Roots in Hyderabad
Shyam Benegal, the force behind India's parallel cinema movement, was born on December 14, 1934 in the then Hyderabad princely state. He was born into a Konkani-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family. His father was the reason for Shyam Benegal's interest in films. He made his first film at the age of 12 with a camera given to him by his father. He earned a master's degree in economics from Osmania University, Hyderabad. After that, he founded the Hyderabad Film Society.
Awards & Rewards
Shyam Benegal has earned a special place in the history of Indian cinema. The Indian government honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. He also received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke, and Akkineni Nageshwra Rao (ANR) National Awards.
Films like ‘Ankur’, ‘Mandi’, ‘Nishant’, ‘Manthan’, ‘Zubeda’, ‘Sardari Begum’, ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose - The Forgotten Hero’ and others have brought him great fame. Winning the National Awards eight times is a testament to his talent. Shyam Benegal's films played a major role in the film movement of the 1970s and 1980s.
Starting from his first film, Shaym Benegal has won awards for every film he has made (except four). 'Nishant', 'Bhumika', 'Mandi', 'Hari Bhari', each of his films won a National Award or the Nargis Dutt Award. He has directed more than 20 films, nearly 40 documentaries, and several TV serials.
He celebrated his 90th birthday on December 14 with his family and friends.
