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Several political leaders mourned the death of legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal, who took his last breath in Mumbai at the age of 90 on Monday. The politicians shared condolence messages on their respective social media handles, remembering the towering film personality that Benegal was.
Shyam Benegal was suffering from kidney-related issues and died at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, days after celebrating his 90th birthday on December 14.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed grief, calling Shyam Benegal a “visionary filmmaker” and said that his works will continue to inspire future generations.
“Saddened by the passing of Shyam Benegal ji, a visionary filmmaker who brought India’s stories to life with depth and sensitivity. His legacy in cinema and commitment to social issues will inspire generations. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and admirers worldwide,” the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha wrote on X.
Some of the best known films directed by Benegal include Ankur, Manthan, Kalyug, Mandi, Suraj Ka Saatva Ghoda, apart from the TV series Bharat Ek Khoj (an adaptation of Jawaharlal Nehru’s book – Discovery of India).
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed Rahul Gandhi’s emotions while mourning Benegal’s death and called him “a true pioneer of the parallel cinema movement”.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary filmmaker, Shyam Benegal, a towering figure in Indian cinema and a true pioneer of the parallel cinema movement. His tremendous contributions to the art form, marked by thought-provoking storytelling and a profound commitment to social issues, leave an indelible mark,” Kharge posted on X.
Congress MP from Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, went down the memory lane and remembered Benegal, saying that he and his sisters knew the filmmaker since their childhood.
His social media post read, “Mourning the passing of #ShyamBenegal, a giant of India’s New Wave cinema who leaves a considerable body of cinematic accomplishment behind. 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.”
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Benerjee expressed sorrow over the iconic personality’s death.
“Saddened by the demise of our iconic filmmaker Shyam Benegal. A pillar of Indian parallel cinema, he was loved and admired by all connoisseurs. My condolences to his family, friends and followers,” she posted on X.
Also, former Maharashtra Chief Minister and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also paid tribute to the pioneering filmmaker and said that “vast imagination, clever staging, and a changing style adapted to the times were Shyam Benegal’s strengths”, while remembering his scintillating movie career.
Benegal was honoured by the Government of India with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. He was also honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest cinematic honour in the country, for his contributions to films, in 2005.
