Director and screenwriter Shyam Benegal today passed away at the age of 90. He breathed his last at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai. He was honoured with 18 National Film Awards. In 2005, the Government of India feted him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Several film personalities have expressed their deepest condolences. Chiranjeevi described him as one of the finest filmmakers and great intellectuals of our country. "Shyam Benegal ji discovered amd nurtured some of the brightest film talents of India. His films, biographies and documentaries form part of India’s greatest cultural treasure. A fellow Hyderabadi amd former Rajya Sabha member, Benegal Saab’s masterful works will always be held in great esteem in Indian Cinema," the 'Vishwambhara' actor wrote.
Political leaders joined in. Rahul Gandhi described Benegal as a "visionary filmmaker who brought India’s stories to life with depth and sensitivity".
Shyam Benegal was a pioneer of conscious cinema. Issue-based documentaries and thought-provoking television serials were his forte. 'Bharat Ek Khoj', 'Bhumika', 'Junoon', 'Mandi', 'Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda', 'Mammo' and 'Sardari Begum' are quite popular.
