Manoj Bajpayee, Shekhar Kapur, Varun Badola and other celebs mourn the loss of Shyam Benegal

Late Filmmaker Shyam Benegal

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away today, December 23, 2024, at the age of 90, marking the end of an iconic era in Indian cinema. Known for his impactful and socially relevant films, Benegal's contributions to Indian filmmaking have left an indelible mark. Following the news of his passing, numerous personalities from the film industry expressed their condolences and paid tribute to the legendary director, remembering his work and the legacy he leaves behind.

Actor Shekhar Kapur took to X and recalled his legacy along with a picture of Shyam. The post read, "He created ‘the new wave’ cinema. #shyambenegal 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 great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide."

He created the new wave cinema. #shyambenegal 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 great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide pic.twitter.com/5r3rkX48Vx
Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) December 23, 2024

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who collaborated with Shyam Benegal on the film Zubeidaa, also reminisced about his experiences working with the legendary director. In an interview with Filmfare, Bajpayee shared his thoughts and fond memories of the time spent with Benegal. “Since the time I landed in Bombay in the ‘90s I would make regular trips to Shyam Benegal’s office in Tardeo. On a few occasions, I mustered the courage to ask him to cast me as well. Finally, he cast me in Zubeidaa (2001) and I was shocked that he chose to cast me in the role of a prince.”

Actor Varun Badola also shared a personal anecdote of the close relations that him and his wife Rajeshwari Sachdev shared with Shyam Benegal. He shared several pictures with Shyam and his Rajeshwari on Instagram with an emotional note in teh caption that read, "It was in 2004 that I met this enigma called Shyam Benegal for the first time. My wife to be, @rajeshwarisachdev asked me to call him up and seek an appointment. “Go meet him. You might fall in his scheme of things”, she said. My call to him was not routed through an operator or a secretary, Mr. Benegal attended the phone personally, as he did till the last day of his life. His office was a little ahead of Haji Ali junction and he cordially invited me over at 9 in the morning the next day. 9 in the morning…from Goregaon… for a man who was doing unending shifts of daily soaps, this was nothing less than torture. But I was told that punctuality is a habit he liked best in men so I entered his office as the clock struck 9. After a few pleasantries were exchanged, the conversation got into a soft interrogation mode and then quickly took a more insightful turn, but not before I realised that I was sent there for a completely different reason."

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A post shared by Varun Badola (@badolavarun)

The post further continued, "Raj and I were contemplating marriage and she wanted Mr. Benegal’s approval of me and the fact that Raj had never sent anyone to him ever before was his cue to gauge me. We both sat in his office for about an hour and my WIFE TO BE called thrice to ask me how did it go. “What part of “I’ll call you back” is so difficult to understand Raj?”. “Tum abhi bhi wahin baithe ho?…HAIN???”. When i called her after taking Mr. Benegal’s leave, she asked me, “To shaadi karni hai?”. I know his approval meant a lot to Raj. It always did, till his last day. She grew up as an actor on his sets and he in turn always treated her as his blue eyed girl. To me he was the second father in law who was always up for a conversation and had an ocean of knowledge to impart. Was there anything in this world he did not know about? I guess not. A legend has passed away. An assurance to all film makers that it is the subject and the intent which is necessary to make a good film and not the budget. Bow your heads ladies and gentlemen and feel proud of the fact that you lived in the same era as Mr. Shyam Benegal."

Shyam Benegal, who had been battling kidney-related complications, passed away at 6:30 pm at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. His death marks the loss of a cinematic legend whose influence extended far beyond the film industry.