Shyam Benegal passed away on December 23, at the age of 90. Just a few days earlier, on December 14, he had celebrated his birthday surrounded by family and friends from the film world. Many stars from the industry shared their condolences on social media after hearing the news of his death. 

Bollywood celebrities are mourning Shyam Benegal's passing

Akshay Kumar shared on his X account: “I’m really saddened to hear about the passing of Shyam Benegal ji. He was one of the greatest filmmakers in our nation, a true legend. Om Shanti.”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee, who collaborated with Shyam Benegal on Zubeidaa, expressed his sorrow: “This is a devastating loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal was more than just a legend; he was a visionary who changed the way stories are told and inspired countless people. Working with him on Zubeidaa was a life-changing experience, as it opened my eyes to his distinctive storytelling approach and deep understanding of performances. I’ll always be thankful for the invaluable lessons I gained from his guidance. It was truly a privilege to have worked alongside him. His influence will continue through the stories he created and the lives he impacted. Rest in peace, Shyam Babu. Om Shanti.”

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Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur expressed his sorrow over Shyam Benegal's passing, saying: “He was the pioneer of ‘the new wave’ cinema. #shyambenegal will forever be remembered for reshaping Indian Cinema with masterpieces like Ankur, Manthan, and many more. He turned talented actors like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil into stars. Goodbye, my friend and mentor.”

Sonali Kulkarni reminisced about Shyam Benegal, saying, "I was lucky enough to work with Shyam Babu on Well Done Abba, which was such a fun change from his usual style. I had a short scene with Ravi Kishan and Boman Irani, and we filmed at Ramoji Film City. Shyam Babu brought so much joy and laughter to the set—definitely a different side of him than what you’d expect from someone known for Indian parallel cinema.

I can still picture the first time I met him when I was just 17. I was so nervous walking into his office, which felt like a shrine to Indian cinema. The walls were filled with awards, posters, and photos, including a classic one of Smita Patil. Even with his incredible legacy, Shyam Babu was so warm and approachable.

On the set of Well Done Abba, I got to see a more laid-back and cheerful side of him, which was a nice contrast to the serious vibe of his art-house films. Watching his friendship with Govind Nihalani really opened my eyes to their significant impact on Indian parallel cinema.

Every moment spent with Shyam Babu felt like I was connecting with cinematic history. I truly regret not being able to celebrate his 90th birthday with him, but I’ll always treasure the time I had with him and the privilege of learning from such a great director."

His daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed his passing to Hindustan Times on Monday evening, stating, “Yes, he has died. The loss is too great.”

Shyam Benegal received multiple National Awards for films like Bhumika: The Role (1977), Junoon (1978), Arohan (1982), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004), Manthan (1976), and Well Done Abba (2010). He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 1991.

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