‘Pillar of Indian parallel cinema’: Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge mourn Shyam Benegal's demise

The veteran filmmaker passed away at Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital due to chronic kidney disease

Updated on: Dec 23, 2024, 21:09:33 IST

By HT News Desk

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Politicians across the spectrum paid tribute to veteran filmmaker and auteur Shyam Benegal, who passed away on Monday at Mumbai's Wockhardt Hospital due to chronic kidney disease at 90.

Prolific filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away at age 90 on Monday (PTI)

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee offered her condolences to his family, friends and followers and expressed her sadness at the demise of the “pillar of Indian parallel cinema”.

Also Read: Cannes Film Festival screens Shyam Benegal's restored version of Manthan to five-minute standing ovation

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed his sorrow at the passing of the legendary filmmaker and reflected on his achievements in a post on X.

“His works like ‘Bharat, Ek Khoj’ based on Pandit Nehru’s ‘The Discovery of India’ and the series ‘Samvidhaan’, which is based on the Constituent Assembly debates are a valuable reference point for young audiences,” he wrote in his post.

Also Read: After Cannes 2024 premiere, Shyam Benegal’s Manthan set for theatrical re-release in India

He added, “Recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award, along with 18 National Film Awards, his legacy will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers.”

Former Odisha chief minister and Biju Janta Dal chief Naveen Patnaik also took to social media platform X to mourn the loss of the “doyen of Indian cinema” and to praise his contributions to the Indian film industry.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor mourned the passing of Shyam Benegal and reflected on a personal anecdote in a post on X, stating, “My sisters and i knew him since our childhood, when he was an advertising professional who photographed them as the first “Amul Babies”. His impact will endure, but his passing is an immense loss, for cinema and for humanity.”

Benegal had celebrated his 90th birthday on December 14, only 10 days before he passed away. He is survived by his wife Nira and their daughter Pia.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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