Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at 90

Acclaimed director Shyam Benegal has died at the age of 90, reports hindustantimes.

The director has made several award-winning films in his career which include Ankur, Bhumika, Manthan and Nishant.

The filmmaker's daughter Pia Benegal confirmed the news of his death to Hindustan Times on Monday evening (December 23).

The veteran director celebrated his 90th birthday a few days ago in Mumbai with his family and close friends from the industry. Actor Shabana Azmi, who debuted in the film industry with Benegal's Ankur, had shared a picture from the celebrations on her X handle. It also featured actor Naseeruddin Shah in the same frame.

The filmmaker was known for his rich body of work which broke away from the norms of traditional mainstream cinema. His films were marked by a degree of realism and social commentary, and helped in Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s. He has won multiple National Awards for movies including, Bhumika: The Role (1977), Junoon (1978), Arohan (1982), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004), Manthan (1976), and Well Done Abba (2010)._Agencies.