Biography
Shyam Benegal (December 14, 1934–December 23, 2024) was a prolific Indian director and screenwriter. With his first four feature films Ankur (1973), Nishant (1975), Manthan (1976), and Bhumika (1977) he created a new genre, which has now come to be called the "middle cinema" in India although he himself has expressed dislike in the term preferring his work to be called New or Alternate cinema. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991. On 8 August 2007, he was awarded the highest award in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2005. He has won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times. Benegal died of kidney disease on 23 December 2024 in Mumbai and is survived by his daughter.
Directed 28
2020s
- 2023
Mujib: The Making of a Nation
Director
2010s
- 2014
Samvidhaan: The Making of the Constitution of India
Director
- 2010
Well Done Abba
Director
2000s
- 2008
Welcome To Sajjanpur
Director
- 2005
Bose: The Forgotten Hero
Director
- 2001
Zubeidaa
Director
- 2000
Hari-Bhari
Director
1990s
- 1996
Sardari Begum
Director
The Making of the Mahatma
Director
- 1994
Mammo
Director
- 1992
Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda
Director
- 1991
Inner voice
Director
1980s
- 1988
- 1987
Susman
Director
- 1985
Satyajit Ray
Director
Trikal
Director
- 1984
Nehru
Director
- 1983
Mandi
Director
Arohan
Director
- 1981
Kalyug
Director
1970s
- 1978
Junoon
Director
The Sage from the Sea
Director
- 1977
Bhumika
Director
- 1976
- 1975
Nishant
Director
Charandas The Thief
Director
- 1974
Ankur
Director
1960s
- 1968
Indian Youth: An Exploration
Director
Wrote 14
2010s
- 2010
Well Done Abba
Story
2000s
- 2008
Welcome To Sajjanpur
Story
- 2000
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Script Consultant
1980s
- 1985
Trikal
Story, Screenplay
- 1984
Nehru
Writer
- 1983
Mandi
Writer
- 1981
Kalyug
Screenplay, Story
1970s
- 1978
Junoon
Writer
The Sage from the Sea
Screenplay
- 1977
Bhumika
Screenplay
- 1976
- 1975
Charandas The Thief
Writer
- 1974
Ankur
Screenplay
1960s
- 1968
Indian Youth: An Exploration
Writer
Acted in 3
2010s
- 2014
Benegal's New Cinema
Movie
- 2011
Pride of India: Shama Zaidi
Movie
2000s
- 2001
Smita
Movie
Produced 2
1980s
- 1987
Susman
Producer
1960s
- 1968
Indian Youth: An Exploration
Producer
Created 1
1980s
- 1988
Appearances5
2010s
- 2014
The Last Adieu
Himself
- 2012
Celluloid Man
Self
Light, Shadow, and Me
Self
1980s
- 1989
In Search of Guru Dutt
Self - Director, Cousin of Guru Dutt
- 1985
Satyajit Ray
Self