Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal was cremated on Tuesday afternoon with state honours and a three-gun salute at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park crematorium in the presence of his contemporaries, colleagues, family and friends.
The funeral of Benegal, who is regarded as a pioneer of the parallel cinema movement in India during the 1970s, was attended by several actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Boman Irani, Nandita Das, Ila Arun, Divya Dutta and Shreyas Talpade, who have worked in his movies.
Cinematographer-turned-director Govind Nihalani, who worked in several movies directed by Benegal, prominent personalities from the film industry such as Ronnie Screwvala, Gulzar and Hansal Mehta too turned up to bid farewell to the recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Among others who attended the funeral were Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajit Kapur, Rajeshwari Sachdev, Manmohan Shetty and Preeti Sagar.
Benegal is survived by his wife Nira Benegal, a publisher, and daughter Pia Benegal, a costume designer. Born in Hyderabad on December 14, 1934, Benegal, a relative of late actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt, nursed the ambition to be a filmmaker and shifted to Mumbai in the late 1950s with a master’s degree in economics from Osmania University.
Speaking to The Indian Express writer Atul Tiwari, a long-time collaborator of Benegal, called the filmmaker his “mentor”.
Describing what Benegal meant to Indian cinema, Tiwari recounted how late actor Om Puri once described him as a “bargad ka ped (banyan tree)”. The writer, who has been associated with several projects helmed by Benegal, starting with television show Bharat Ek Khoj (1988) till the latter’s last film project Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), recalled: “Om Puri had said that in the jungle of Indian cinema the tallest tree is Satyajit Ray. The healthiest bargad ka ped (banyan tree) with many prop roots is Shyam Benegal, who has supported so many talents.”
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Shyam Benegal and Smita Patil on the sets of a film. (Express archive photo)
During his film and television career spanning five decades, Benegal worked with a large pool of actors as well as aspiring writers and directors, including Kabir Khan and Prahlad Kakkar.
Calling Benegal “one of last gentlemen of the film industry”, Tiwari said: “Shyam Babu was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He treated everyone well. There was no sign of ego or any air around him.”
Leena Yadav, who made feature films such as Shabd, Teen Patti and Parched, said she was amazed by the range of Benegal as a director. “Benegal went on to create the most prolific and diverse filmography — from Ankur to Trikal, Manthan to Junoon, Discovery of India to Zubeida and Sardari Begum — of any Indian director,” she said. “His death is truly the end of an era,” said Leena, adding, “A salute to Shyam Babu as he was popularly called. Thank you sir for paving the way and setting the standards so high.”
Actor Tannishtha Chatterjee, known for her performance in Brick Lane, Shadows of Time, Dekh Indian Circus and Joram, recalled, “I almost worked with him in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004), but, my dates did not work out. Needless to reiterate his immense contribution to Indian cinema. I sometimes feel jealous of the actors who worked in those amazing films.” The actor singled out Junoon, Kalyug and Mandi as three of her most favourite movies directed by Benegal.
Alaka Sahani is a prominent film critic and journalist based in Mumbai. With a career spanning over two decades, she has established herself as one of India’s most authoritative voices in cinematic journalism, known for an analytical approach and insights that transcend the standard cycle of celebrity journalism.
Expertise & Accolades
In 2014, Alaka was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Film Critic. Her Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) citation specifically lauded her for "highlighting facets of cinema beyond glamour and gossip" and for her ability to delve into the contemporary relevance of iconic filmmakers. Her commitment to journalistic integrity was further recognised in 2019 with a Special Mention at the Red Ink Awards for her investigative feature, 'In Search of a Star'. Her article titled 'People Like Us', published in The Indian Express on March 27, 2022, was shortlisted for Red Ink Award, 2023.
Global Industry Leadership
Alaka’s expertise is sought after by major international and domestic film bodies:
Golden Globes: In 2025, she joined the international voting body for the 83rd Annual Golden Globes.
National Film Awards: She served on the prestigious jury for the 68th National Film Awards, helping select the finest contributions to Indian cinema.
Global Perspective: Her work consistently bridges the gap between commercial Bollywood A-listers and emerging independent talents, offering nuanced insights into both Indian regional cinema and international film trends.
Focus & Vision
Beyond the screen, Alaka is a dedicated observer of Mumbai’s vibrant theatre scene and the historical evolution of the moving image. Through her long-form articles and deep-dive interviews, she continues to challenge "tried-and-tested" templates, providing readers with a deep understanding of the artistic and systemic workings of the Indian and global film industry. ... Read More
Shyam Benegal and Smita Patil on the sets of a film. (Express archive photo)