Remembering Shyam Benegal: Man who used Cinema as a medium of social reality

When it comes to Parallel Cinema, there is no way one can not mention or acknowledge the work of director Shyam Benegal. India lost this amazing director, screenwriter, and documentary filmmaker on December 23, 2024. Born in Secunderabad, Benegal grew up in Hyderabad and got an MA in economics from Osmania University. He began his career as an advertising copywriter in Lintas. Soon, he became interested in commercials and corporate films. Apart from films, Benegal has also made about 900 commercials in his advertising career. 

Benegal not only had an eye for selecting good actors for the roles, but he also emphasised making films related to society. Be it Manthan, funded by the farmers and highlighting their story, Mandi showing the lives of women in a brothel, or Zubeida, showing the story of an aspiring actor, Benegal always had to offer something through his perspective. There are a lot of movies such as Ankur, The Seventh Horse of the Sun, Nishant, Bhumika, and many more where the films did not have any cliche romantic background but rather a story with purpose. 

In 2005, he was awarded Dadasaheb Phalke which is considered the highest award in Cinema. Shyam also served as the chairperson of the Film and Television Institute of India twice and received a record total of 18 National Film Awards. As the country mourns the demise of this cinematic maestro, his influence will continue to shape Indian cinema for years to come.

–Written by Khyati Singh

–Edited by Rupam Shukla