Shyam Benegal Death: Tributes Pour In From Akshay Kumar, Manoj Bajpayee, Hansal Mehta And Other Celebs For The Veteran Filmmaker

Following the death of Shyam Benegal, tributes from the film fraternity poured in, with filmmakers and actors expressing their grief and admiration for the director’s immense influence on cinema.

Shyam Benegal passed away on December 23 at the age of 90.

Source : IMDb

New Delhi: Shyam Benegal, a legendary Indian filmmaker, passed away on Monday evening at the age of 90. His demise has left the film fraternity in mourning. Renowned for his innovative films like 'Ankur', 'Manthan' and 'Mandi', the filmmaker has been suffering from a kidney-related illness for a long time. 

Fans and celebrities alike have flocked to social media to share their condolences for the late movie icon. Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur remembered Benegal for changing the "direction of Indian cinema" with films like Ankur and Manthan. He wrote, “He created stars out great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide.”

He created ‘the new wave’ cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man that changed the direction of Indian Cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan and countless others. He created stars out great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide pic.twitter.com/5r3rkX48Vx

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) December 23, 2024

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta also posted a picture of Benegal and his deepest condolences. He wrote, "Go well Shyam babu. Thank you for inspiring many like me. Thank you for the cinema. Thank you for giving tough stories and flawed characters such amazing dignity."

Go well Shyam babu. Thank you for inspiring many like me. Thank you for the cinema. Thank you for giving tough stories and flawed characters such amazing dignity.
Truly among the last of our greats. pic.twitter.com/6niNXolUB3

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) December 23, 2024

In his heartfelt tribute to Shyam Benegal, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra took to X and wrote, "Much will be written about Shyam Benegal but for me not many talk about the fact that there was a lament in his films and a sadness about the fact we were not living in the best of all possible Worlds."

Bollywood Stars Pay Tribute To Shyam Benegal

Manoj Bajpayee, who collaborated with Benegal on the film 'Zubeidaa', shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the set. He described the death of the filmmaker as a "heartbreaking loss."

A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced… pic.twitter.com/EH0eosqkAR

— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 23, 2024

Akshay Kumar also paid tribute, writing, "Pained to know of Shyam Benegal ji's demise. One of the finest filmmakers in our country, truly a legend. Om Shanti"

Pained to know of Shyam Benegal ji’s demise. One of the finest filmmakers in our country, truly a legend. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FGbMf0l0jO

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 23, 2024

Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi also paid his respects to the legendary director.

Deeply saddened at the departure of Shri Shyam Benegal,one of the finest film makers and great intellectuals of our country. He discovered & nurtured some of the brightest film talents of India. His films, biographies and documentaries form part of India’s greatest cultural…

— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) December 23, 2024