Shyam Benegal passes away: Legendary filmmaker laid to rest with state honors; Naseeruddin Shah, Gulzar, Boman Irani and more bid emotional farewell

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As a dedicated follower of Indian cinema, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Shyam Benegal, a true legend and pioneer whose work has left an indelible mark on the industry. Having grown up watching his films, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss, as if a part of my own cultural history has been taken away.

Noted Indian film director Shyam Benegal, often referred to as the founder of Indian parallel cinema, passed away on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90. On Tuesday, his final ceremonies were performed with full state honors at the Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium in Mumbai. Many well-known figures such as Shabana Azmi, Gulzar, Divya Dutta, and Naseeruddin Shah, among others, came to pay their respects and bid him a poignant farewell.

On December 24, the esteemed filmmaker Shyam Benegal received a state funeral, recognizing his extraordinary impact on Indian cinema. His influence will endure for future generations to appreciate. In a tribute, the Indian National flag was respectfully placed over the deceased director’s body as musicians played trumpets in his honor.

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In a different video, we can observe close companions and actors such as Naseeruddin Shah, Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Rajit Kapoor, Boman Irani, among others, showing deep emotion as they participate in a funeral ceremony. These videos have been widely shared online.

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On Monday, it was confirmed by Pia Benegal, the filmmaker’s daughter, that he had passed away. According to reports, he had been battling a long-term kidney illness and breathed his last at 6:30 PM. He received medical care at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai prior to his passing.

Following the sad news that spread quickly, numerous celebrities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Karisma Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Sham Kaushal, Shabana Azmi, and others expressed their condolences on their individual social media platforms.

Shabana Azmi, who first appeared on screen under the direction of Shyam Benegal (with the film “Ankur”), also shared her sorrow upon his passing. In an interview with PTI, she stated that Shyam Benegal was not just her acting mentor, but a guide in life as well, influencing her perspective on the world.

She recollected her journey overseas for the movie Ankur at the Berlin Film Festival. As a youngster, she vividly remembered her desire to dash towards the first store adorned with stars in awe. However, Benegal, contrastingly, appeared more engrossed in exploring the city’s history and culture rather than shopping sprees. She characterized him as a “progressive” and “knowledgeable” director who broadened her horizons.

Shyam Benegal is known for creating significant films with compelling stories such as Ankur, Mandi from 1983, and Zubeidaa in 2001, along with several other notable productions.

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2024-12-24 15:37