Filmmaker Kumar Shahani passes away at 83; was a noteworthy name in Indian parallel cinema
Filmmaker Kumar Shahani passes away at 83; was a noteworthy name in Indian parallel cinema
A noteworthy name in Indian parallel cinema Filmmaker Kumar Shahani passes away at 83 at a hospital in Kolkata.
Age-related health issues was the cause for his death. A
close friend, actor Mita Vashisht conveyed the sad news.
She went on to add that Kumar Shahani was ailing and his health had been declining. It’s a deep personal loss. Vashisht, worked with the director on ‘Vaar Vaar Vaari’, ‘Khayal Gatha’, and ‘Kasba
He won recognition for ‘Maya Darpan’, ‘Char Adhyay’ and ‘Kasba’
Shahani is survived by wife and two daughters.
The filmmaker was born in Larkana, Sindh, in the undivided India. After Partition, Shahani’s family shifted to Mumbai.
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. 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 won 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.
She further added that she dmired 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 unparalleled. His films were inspiring.
News Edit K.V.Raman
