Prez, PM, film industry pay homage to Shyam Benegal

Delhi/Mumbai, Dec 23:  President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in mourning the loss of famed film-maker Shyam Benegal, who passed away in a Mumbai private hospital on Monday night.

“The passing of Shri Shyam Benegal marks the end of a glorious chapter of Indian cinema and television,” Mumru said in a condolence message posted on her Twitter handle.

Paying rich tributes to the auteur, the president mentioned that Benegal started a new kind of cinema and crafted several classics.

“A veritable institution, he groomed many actors and artists. His extraordinary contribution was recognised in the form of numerous awards including Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Bhushan,” she said.

The Prime Minister said he was deeply saddened by the death of Benegal, “whose storytelling had a profound impact on Indian cinema”.

“His works will continue to be admired by people from different walks of life,” Modi said on his Twitter handle, expressing his condolences to Benegal’s family and admirers.

The indian film industry grieved the loss of one of its brightest creative geniuses.

Film maker Hansal Mehta described Benegal as “truly among the last of our greats”.

“Go well Shyam babu. Thank you for inspiring many like me. Thank you for the cinema. Thank you for giving tough stories and flawed characters such amazing dignity. Truly among the last of our greats,” he said on Twitter.

To actor Manoj Bajpeyee, Benegal’s passing away was a “heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema”.

“Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations,” he said. Recalling his experience of acting in Benegal’s classic Zubeida, Bajpayee said it was a transformative experience, as it exposed him to Benegal’s unique style of storytelling and nuanced understanding of performances.

“I’ll forever be grateful for the lessons I learned under his direction. It was an absolute honour 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,” posted Bajpayee.

Legendary Bollywood actress Hema Malini called Benegal a renowned and highly respected film maker, and pioneer of parallel cinema. “The film industry has lost another doyen who has won national recognition with Padma Shri and later Padma Bhushan and brought Indian cinema to global fame,” she said.

Akshay Kumar too expressed his pain at Benegal ji’s demise and acknowledged hin “as one of the finest filmmakers in our country, truly a legend”.