Shyam Benegal‘s funeral took place today at Shivaji Park Electric Crematorium in Mumbai, following his passing at the age of 90. Notable figures from the film industry, including Gulzar and Naseeruddin Shahpaid their last respects. The ceremony is being attended by family and close friends, reflecting on the legendary filmmaker’s impactful career in Indian parallel cinema.
The ceremony saw notable figures like Naseeruddin Shah, his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, and son Vivaan Shah, who have collaborated with Benegal in various films.
Actors Boman IraniNandita Das, and producer Ronnie Screwvala were among those who attended Shyam Benegal’s funeral.
Other attendees included Ashoke Pandit, Ila Arun's daughter Ishita Arun, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Divya Dutta, Anang DesaiAtul Tiwari, and Rajit Kapoor.
Renowned writer Gulzar and actors Tanishta Chatterjee and Leela Yadav also paid their respects to the legendary filmmaker.
Shyam Benegal known for his important contributions to parallel cinema. His notable films include ‘Ankur’, which tackled caste and gender issues; ‘Nishant’, a critique of feudal oppression that was India’s entry to the Oscars; and ‘Manthan’, about India’s White Revolution.
Other acclaimed works are ‘Bhumika’, which explores the life of a Marathi actress, and ‘Zubeidaa’, a story about love and societal expectations. Benegal’s films often featured social themes and realistic storytelling, earning him several National Film Awards. His last film was ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’.