MUMBAI: Veteran Indian filmmaker Mani Kaul passed away today (6 July, 2011). He was 66 years old.

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ambika Soni condoled the death of Kaul. 

Soni said, “Mani Kaul was one of the pioneers of the new wave in Indian cinema who explored new language and expression in his films. A graduate of FTII, Shri Kaul through his innovative imagery, vocabulary and experimentation started a new movement in Indian cinema. His untimely death has left a void in the film industry, which would be very difficult to fill.”

“After passing out from Film and Television Institute of India in 1966, Mani Kaul directed various films such as Uski Roti, Ashadh Ka Ek Din, Duvidha, Satah Se Uthata Aadmi etc. His film Siddheshwari won the National Film Award for best documentary in 1989. He has been inspiration for many generations of the students of FTII and only last year spoke on ethos of FTII to students during the Golden Jubilee year Seminar convened by the institute,” she added.