Shyam Benegal Cremated With Full State Honors

MUMBAI (ANI) – Legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, celebrated for his profound contributions to Indian cinema, was cremated on December 24 at the Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium in Mumbai. Benegal, who passed away at the age of 90, was honored with full state honors, including a three-gun salute. The solemn ceremony was attended by an array of luminaries from the film industry, including Boman Irani, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Hansal Mehta, Prateek Gandhi, and Divya Dutta, among others.

Naseeruddin Shah, who collaborated extensively with Benegal in films like Nishant and Manthan, was seen bidding an emotional farewell to the director. Paying tribute, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar remarked, “He gave a new thought process to Hindi cinema…his place will always remain vacant. I urge the younger generation to watch his films and carry forward his legacy.” Actor Dalip Tahil echoed similar sentiments, calling Benegal “a gem for the world” and “the pride of the nation.”

Musician Ila Arun expressed deep sorrow, saying, “We all will miss him,” while actor Anang Desai described his passing as “a great vacuum” in the industry.

A Visionary Filmmaker

Born on December 14, 1934, in a Konkani-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family in Hyderabad, Shyam Benegal emerged as a pioneering voice in Indian cinema. Known for his nuanced storytelling and focus on socio-political themes, Benegal collaborated extensively with stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, and Shabana Azmi. His films, including Ankur (1974), Mandi (1983), Nishant (1975), and Junoon (1979), continue to be celebrated for their depth and realism.

Junoon, based on Ruskin Bond’s A Flight of Pigeons, is among his most acclaimed works. Set during India’s freedom movement, the film explored the forbidden love between a British woman and a Pathan. Similarly, Manthan (1976), inspired by Verghese Kurien’s milk cooperative movement, gained international acclaim, earning recognition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Benegal’s most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), was an India-Bangladesh co-production depicting the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film added another milestone to his illustrious career.

Beyond Cinema

In addition to feature films, Benegal made significant contributions to television and documentaries. His iconic series Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan are benchmarks in Indian television, reflecting his commitment to education and storytelling. As the Director of the National Film Development Corporation and a member of various prestigious juries, Benegal championed the growth of Indian cinema on global platforms.