On December 23, 2024, Indian cinema has lost one of its most transformative figures. Shyam Benegal, a doyen of India's parallel cinema movement and a great champion of diversity and democracy in India's cultural world passed away at the age of 90 in in Mumbai. Born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad, Benegal's illustrious career spanned several decades, during which he crafted films that delved into the intricacies of Indian society.
Shyam Benegal’s work remains a cornerstone of socially conscious Indian cinema. His films represent a foundation of the society that many marginalised Indians either dreamed of, aspired to, or encountered in reality. His early works, such as Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), and Manthan (1976), are renowned for their strong political and social messages. These films critiqued feudalism and explored issues like economic, gender, and caste exploitation, shedding light on the corruption of power, the violation and vulnerability of women, and the state's failure to confront feudal violence. Manthan, set in Gujarat, focused on cooperatives and rural life while critiquing upper-caste exploitation and hypocrisy.
May his legacy continue to inspire and empower us in the struggle against regressive culture.
