Shyam Benegal, the celebrated filmmaker who spearheaded India’s parallel cinema movement with his groundbreaking, socially-conscious films in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away at the age of 90. Known for redefining Indian cinema with his realism and poignant storytelling, Benegal leaves behind a towering legacy. The iconic filmmaker is survived by his wife, Nira Benegal, and daughter, Pia Benegal. He had been undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Wockhardt Hospital, where he was admitted shortly after celebrating his 90th birthday on December 14. Eminent poet Helal Hafiz passes away According to Pia, her father had been battling chronic kidney disease and undergoing dialysis three times a week. Despite his health challenges, Benegal remained deeply engaged with his passion for filmmaking. On his birthday, he shared with PTI, “I’m working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It’s difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen.” Benegal’s last film was the 2023 biographical drama “Mujib: The Making of a Nation”. Over the course of his illustrious career, Benegal created an impressive portfolio of films, documentaries, and television serials that left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Ekushey Padak-winning eminent artist Shujeo Shyam passes away His works include classics such as “Ankur” (1973), “Nishant” (1975), “Manthan” (1976), “Bhumika” (1977), “Junoon” (1978), “Mandi” (1983), “Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda” (1992), “Mammo” (1994), and “Sardari Begum” (1996). He also directed acclaimed television series like “Bharat Ek Khoj”, which explored India’s cultural history.

Final version of the highly-anticipated film “Mujib: The Making of a Nation” will be screened for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before it is formally released later this year, Indian sources said. “I think Shyam Benegal and his team have almost completed the film’s shooting, editing and the computer graphics,” Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, said. While briefing reporters in New Delhi last night (September 7, 2022), Bagchi said they are looking at a date towards the end of the year. “We’ll let you know once we have a fix on that.” Trailer of the Bangladesh-India joint production, directed by veteran Indian director Shyam Benegal, premiered at Cannes Film Festival on May 19. Read: Bangladeshi filmmakers receive grant from British Council for portraying climate change stories The trailer of “Mujib: The Making of a Nation” – a biopic on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – is available on the official YouTube channel of NFDC India. The film is being produced under audio visual co-production agreement between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Bangladesh. It is co-produced by National Film Development Corporation and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation.

Walking on the glamorous and prestigious red carpet of the 75th Cannes Film festival was like the utmost fulfillment of life, said popularBangladeshi actor Arifin Shuvoo. The Dhallywood actor walked on the red carpet dressed in a white tuxedo by Dapper Bespoke on the fourth day of the festival Saturday. After his glamorous appearance at the red carpet, the actor told Bangladeshi journalists, “It was like touching something out of a dream. I am grateful to my fans, audience, director and producer for bringing me this far. I’ll try to maintain the trust they have shown in me.” Also read: Trailer of "Mujib --The Making of a Nation" is out at Cannes festival On May 19, the trailer of ‘Mujib– The Making of a Nation’ was released at the festival's commercial counterpart Marché du Film (Film Market). Shyam Benegal, director of the Bangabandhu biopic, said the film is currently going through a long VFX process while updating the media. 'Mujib: The making of a Nation' is slated to release in September this year. Also read: Trailer of Shyam Benegal's 'Mujib - The Making of a Nation' premiered at Cannes Arifin has played the role of Bangabandhu in the film while Nusrat Imroz Tisha plays Sheikh Fazilatunnesa (Renu). The film is co-produced by the Bangladesh and India governments.