MUMBAI: Filmmaker Kumar Shahani, a significant name in the Indian parallel cinema who directed films such as "Maya Darpan", "Char Adhyay" and "Kasba", has died at the age of 83.
The director passed away last night at a hopsital in Kolkata, close friend, actor Mita Vashisht said.
"He passed away around 11pm last night due to age related health issues at a hospital in Kolkata. He was ailing and his health had been declining. It's a deep personal loss," Vashisht, who worked with the director on "Vaar Vaar Vaari", "Khayal Gatha", and "Kasba", told PTI.
"We were in touch with his family. Kumar and I would talk a lot and I knew he was ailing and was in and out of hospital," the actor added.
Shahani is survived by his wife and two daughters.
The filmmaker was born in Larkana, Sindh in the undivided India. After the partition in 1947, Shahani's family shifted to Bombay. Shahani studied at the Film and Television Institute of India with Mani Kaul, who also went on to become famous for his work in art house cinema.
Kumar Shahani - one of the India’s foremost avant-garde film directors passes away
— Mera Pedia (@MeraPedia) February 24, 2024
He was considered to be one of the pioneers of the Indian parallel cinema movement. Thanks @irfaniyat for this interview #KumarShahani pic.twitter.com/HDsGBp78Bm
How can one convey the pain and sorrow of losing a guru who taught me a lot through his cinema. Kumar Shahani sahab, I had so much to learn from you. Your experiences with DD Kosambi, stories behind your films, your philosophy of cinema. (1940-2024) pic.twitter.com/7CWh7eeElc
— Eshan Sharma (@iameshansharma_) February 24, 2024
I hadn’t come across this one before. A young Kumar Shahani. pic.twitter.com/I0zj2TtQU1
— Dr Omar Ahmed (@bressonian) April 25, 2022
Shahani debuted with "Maya Darpan" in 1972. The film, based on Hindi writer Nirmal Varma's short story, revolved around a woman divided between her lover and protecting the honour of her father in feudal India. He followed it up with "Tarang" in 1984. Starring Amol Palekar and Smita Patil, the film received a national film award. The story revolved around an amoral businessman, who gets involved with a trade union leader's wife. In Khayal Gatha, Shahani traced the relationship of Khayal genre with Indian classical dance and featured Rajat Kapoor and Mita Vashisht. Kasba, his other feature, is about a dishonest businessman's adopted daughter, played by Vashisht, taking action when his eldest son, essayed by Shatrughan Sinha, is arrested for counterfeiting.
Vashisht hailed Shahani for his pivotal role in the parallel cinema movement in India. "I admired him as a human being and as a filmmaker. He was one of the greatest directors in our country. His integrity and consciousness towards society, art, cinema, was unparallel. His films were inspiring," the actor said.
Kumar Shahani's movie Kasba (1990), shot in Kangra Valley, is one of the very few Hindi movies that feature Pahari wall paintings in traditional homes. Here are some screenshots (Note the 'namaste' written in Nastaliq over the entrance). pic.twitter.com/Qnj0NEv9Ea
— Iqtibas اقتباس (@iqtibaas88) August 19, 2022
Celebrating the Birth Anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore!
— NFDC India (@nfdcindia) May 7, 2018
Char Adhyay directed by Kumar Shahani is based on a novel written by Tagore. The film is considered unique and remarkable in Indian Art cinema.#StreamingNow on https://t.co/OibHPh03cM
#RabindrathTagore #BornOnThisDay pic.twitter.com/KaoRMqVGwB
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