Filmmaker Shyam Benegal turns 90, says he is working on 2-3 projects

Shyam Benegal, a pioneer of Indian parallel cinema, turns 90, reflecting on his career and ongoing projects.

Turning 90 is a significant milestone, but for some, like filmmaker Shyam Benegal, it is just another day marked by daily routines and ongoing work commitments .Benegal was a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s, creating a body of work known for its realism and social commentary. His films broke away from the conventions of mainstream Indian cinema.

The filmmaker, who directed path-breaking films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika, Junoon, and Mandi, turned 90 on Saturday.

“We all grow old. I don’t do anything great on my birthday. It may be a special day, but I don’t celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team,” Benegal told PTI.

Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Benegal remains committed to his passion for filmmaking.

“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,” said the director, whose most recent film was the 2023 biographical Mujib: The Making of a Nation.

December 14 also marks the 100th birthday of Raj Kapoor, the legendary actor and filmmaker regarded as the greatest showman of Indian cinema.

“He was a brilliant actor; he had a fine mind. I’ve seen his films, and I liked Shree 420,” Benegal said about the cinema icon.