Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies aged 90

Benegal, a pioneer of new wave cinema in India, was celebrated for his films addressing social issues.

Shyam Benegal, the acclaimed Indian filmmaker who spearheaded a new wave cinema movement of the 1970s with films addressing social issues, has passed away at the age of 90 due to chronic kidney disease.

He was celebrated for his contributions to cinema as a director, editor and screenwriter, and is credited with pioneering a new genre of filmmaking.

Benegal passed away on Monday at Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital, and his cremation will take place on Tuesday, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing his daughter Pia.

“He had been suffering from chronic kidney disease for several years but it had gotten very bad. That’s the reason for his death,” Pia said.

Numerous tributes to the legendary filmmaker poured in on social media platforms.