Born on December 14, 1934 in a Konkani-speaking Chitrapur-Saraswat Brahmin family in Hyderabad, Benegal worked extensively with actors from FTII and NSD including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Amrish Puri.

His films left an indelible impression on audiences and addressed relevant socio-political issues with remarkable depth. For example, Junoon (1979), based on Ruskin Bond’s A Flight of Pigeons, is a turbulent epic set during the Indian freedom movement. The film, which tells a forbidden love story between a British woman (Nafisa Ali) and a passionate Pathan (Shashi Kapoor), remains one of Benegal’s finest works and is celebrated for its stirring images and emotional intensity.

Similarly, Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1992), adapted from Dharamvir Bharti’s novel, presented a unique narrative structure by having a bachelor (Rajit Kapur) narrate stories of three women from different social classes who influenced his life. Each character was unique and symbolized the diverse fabric of society.

Benegal also explored intersectional feminism long before it became mainstream discourse. His film Bhumika, inspired by Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar’s memoirs, dealt with themes such as personal identity, feminism and relationship conflicts. Mandi (1983), another milestone, provided a satirical commentary on prostitution and politics, depicting a brothel’s struggle against social and political pressure.

His films also gained international recognition. Manthan (1976), inspired by Verghese Kurien’s pioneering dairy cooperative movement, created a worldwide sensation and was screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. The premiere of the film was attended by celebrities like Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Prateik Babbar and members of the Kurien and Patil families.

Benegal’s most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), was an India-Bangladesh co-production depicting the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. The biographical film, shot extensively in both countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, adds another layer to his illustrious fame.

In addition to feature films, Benegal contributed significantly to documentaries and television. His iconic series Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan remain benchmarks on Indian television. He was also director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986 and a member of prestigious juries including the 14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985) and the 35th National Film Awards (1988).

Throughout his career, Benegal received numerous awards including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema.

Shyam Benegal’s contributions to Indian and global cinema will continue to inspire generations to come. — ANI