Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal died at a Mumbai hospital on Monday. He was 90.
Benegal was suffering from chronic kidney disease and was admitted to city's Wockhardt Hospital, his daughter Pia Benegal told PTI.
"He passed away at 6.38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital Mumbai Central. He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That's the reason for his death," she said.
The ace director heralded the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Many of his notable films including Ankur, Nishant and Manthan are considered classics in Hindi cinema.
Bhumika, Junoon, Mandi, Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda, Mammo and Sardari Begum are some of his other critically acclaimed movies.
Mujib: The Making of a Nation, released in 2023, is the most recent work of Benegal.
Reports said he had celebrated his 90th birthday just 10 days ago on December 14. Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter Pia.
Film fraternity mourns
Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur said Benegal would always be remembered as the man who changed the direction of Indian cinema.
"He created 'the new wave' cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man that changed the direction of Indian Cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan and countless others. He created stars out great actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide,” he wrote on X.
Actress Shabana Azmi shared a throwback photo of her, along with many other veteran actors, attending the 90th birthday of Benegal.