Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Akshay Kumar and others from the film industry paid their tributes to Shyam Benegal, who passed away on Monday evening in Mumbai. As per reports, the celebrated filmmaker had been battling chronic kidney disease.
Taking to X, Amitabh wrote, “We have lost another stalwart of the Film Industry today. Shyam Benegal passes away. Prayers and condolences.”
Kamal shared his photo with Benegal and wrote, “India has lost the most humane storyteller of our time, and I’ve lost a guru. Through his lens, Shyam Benegal brought real India to the screen, making us love the ordinary while tackling profound social subjects. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who cherished his art.”
Akshay wrote on X, “Pained to know of Shyam Benegal ji’s demise. One of the finest filmmakers in our country, truly a legend. Om Shanti.”
Vishal Bhardwaj wrote a long note as he shared a photo of the filmmaker. He looked back at the time when Benegal took time to meet Vishal, who was a newcomer back then. “I recall walking into his Tardeo office, my heart filled with nervous anticipation. But Shyam Babu welcomed me with a warm smile, listened to my music, and offered words of encouragement that I will never forget. ‘You are talented,’ he said. ‘Keep pursuing your passion, and success will follow.’ His kindness and generosity of spirit left a lasting impression on me,” he said.
He added, “What struck me most about Shyam Babu was his authenticity. On screen, it’s impossible to hide one’s true nature, and Shyam Babu was a sensitive soul, through and through. His compassion, empathy, and humility shone through in every interaction, every frame of his films. The true test of a person’s character, I believe, lies in how they treat strangers - those who come to them without recommendations or connections. Shyam Babu was real, as real as his films. He would treat others with kindness, respect, and dignity.”
Naseeruddin Shah, who worked with him in films like, Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976) and Mandi (1983), told us, “It is impossible to describe in a few words what Shyam meant to me. I wonder what I would have become if he hadn't had faith in me when no one else did. He and Nira (his wife) were a huge support in my difficult days. He did whatever he could with his life—right to the end. Not many people can claim to have done that.”
Shreyas Talpade, who collaborated with him on Welcome to Sajjanpur, spoke to us, sharing his tribute for the filmmaker. He said, “I feel extremely honoured to have worked with a legend like Shyam Benegal sir. He was an institution in himself and all the people who worked with him were highly inspired because of the kind of person that he was. He gave his actors a lot of confidence and freedom to make sure that their craft flourishes and develops in the most natural manner.”
He added, “Whenever he would speak, we would be mesmerized by the way he would express himself on cinema, politics, different cuisines or just about anything. There will be no one like him. The way he paved way for parallel cinema and the conviction with which he worked was truly remarkable. It is a huge loss for all of us.”
Taking to X, Manoj Bajpayee posted a photo from the sets of Benegal’s Zubeidaa (2001) and wrote, “A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend; he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced understanding of performances. I’ll forever be grateful for the lessons I learned under his direction. It was an absolute honor to have had the opportunity to work with him. His legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he touched. Rest in peace Shyam Babu, Om Shanti.”
Benegal turned 90 earlier this month and his birthday celebration was attended by Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and others. He is survived by his wife Nira Benegal and daughter Pia Benegal.
