MUMBAI: The passing of Shyam Benegal, the torchbearer of New Wave cinema, evoked a lament of loss across the film fraternity Monday night. It was Shyam Babu who discovered and mentored an entire generation of the finest natural actors including Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil and Om Puri, having fathered the parallel cinema movement with ‘Ankur’ in 1974.
In fact as recently as Dec 14, the entire clan met to celebrate Shyam Babu’s 90th birthday, with happy pictures featuring Azmi, Shah, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Kunal Kapoor of Prithvi Theatre, Divya Dutta and Rajit Kapur.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur posted: “He created ‘the new wave’ cinema. Shyam Benegal 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 of great actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee whose career was baptised by his prince’s act in ‘Zubeidaa’, termed it a “heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations”. Actor-singer Ila Arun said, “I feel as if I lost my father. It is the end of a golden cinematic era.”
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said, “Shyam Benegal was a giant of Indian cinema. He told stories without pretense. They were raw and real, about the struggles of ordinary people. His films had craft and conviction. He changed Indian cinema, not with noise, but purpose.” Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said, “Not many talk about the fact that there was a lament in his films and a sadness about the fact we were not living in the best of all possible worlds.”
People from all walks of life mourned his loss. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “Saddened by the passing of Shyam Benegal ji, a visionary filmmaker who brought India’s stories to life with depth and sensitivity. His legacy in cinema and commitment to social issues will inspire generations. Heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and admirers worldwide.” Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recalled how Shyam Babu during his early years as ad filmmaker had photographed his sister and other children as “the first Amul Babies”. (With inputs by Swati Deshpande)
