The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: Acclaimed filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away on Monday, December 23, at the age of 90. He breathed his last at 6:38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai, where he was undergoing treatment for chronic kidney disease, his daughter Pia Benegal told PTI.
“He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That’s the reason for his death,” Pia told PTI. The filmmaker had been admitted to the hospital’s ICU.
Benegal, celebrated for his landmark contributions to Indian cinema with films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan and Bhumika, was a leading figure in the parallel cinema movement of the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his nuanced storytelling and explorations of social issues, his body of work remains a cornerstone of Hindi cinema.
Over his prolific career, Benegal directed a range of films, documentaries and television serials, including the acclaimed Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan. His other notable works include Junoon, Mandi, Suraj Ka Satvaan Ghoda, Mammo and Sardari Begum, many of which are considered classics.
His most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), chronicled the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh.
Benegal, who celebrated his 90th birthday just 10 days ago on December 14, had revealed during the occasion that he was undergoing dialysis and frequently required medical attention.
He is survived by his wife, Nira Benegal, and daughter, Pia. The timing for his last rites will be announced later.