“Sad to know of the demise of the renowned filmmaker Kumar Shahani at Kolkata. Shahani was a noted and powerful film director, who had a strong presence in the Indian parallel cinema. It is indeed a big loss for Indian film industry. My condolences to his family, friends and followers,” the chief minister posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The director passed away owing to age-related issues at a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday night, close friend and actor Mita Vashisht told media persons. The filmmaker was born in Larkana, Sindh in 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.

Shahani debuted with Maya Darpan in 1972. He followed it up with Tarang in 1984. Starring Amol Palekar and Smita Patil, the film received a national film award. In Khayal Gatha, featuring Rajat Kapoor and Mita Vashisht, Shahani traced the relationship of the Khayal genre with Indian classical dance.

Shahani is survived by his wife and two daughters.