Happy Birthday to Shyam Benegal

Happy Birthday to Shyam Benegal, born on December 14, 1934.

He’s a well-known director and writer famous for his great movies and documentaries. Shyam Benegal has been a major figure in parallel cinema since the 1970s. He has received many big awards, like the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005, the highest honor in Indian cinema. The Indian government also awarded him high civilian honors: the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991.

Born in Hyderabad, Benegal’s career began as a copywriter. His first documentary, “Gher Betha Ganga,” was released in 1962. He became known for his first four films — “Ankur,” “Nishant,” “Manthan,” and “Bhumika” — which were key to the new wave film movement. His films like “Mammo,” “Sardari Begum,” and “Zubeidaa” won several National Film Awards and form what’s known as the Muslim women Trilogy.

Benegal’s career also included teaching at the Film and Television Institute of India and making over 900 sponsored documentaries and advertising films. He was involved in early TV projects and continued making influential films in the 1970s and 1980s, like “Junoon” and “Kalyug.” He explored different themes, including political satire in “Mandi” and human relationships in “Trikal.”

In the 1990s, Benegal made impactful films about Indian Muslim women and moved into mainstream Bollywood with “Zubeidaa.” He also tackled biographical subjects like “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero.” Critiquing the caste system in “Samar,” he continued to win accolades.

Currently, Benegal heads the Federation of Film Societies of India and runs Sahyadri Films. He has written three books based on his films, contributing significantly to Indian cinema.

#MrinalSen, Shyam Benegal and #SatyajitRay.