Shyam Ramsay Biography: Age, Death, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Career, Movies

Shyam Ramsinghani, famously known as Shyam Ramsay, was a prominent Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his pioneering contributions to the Bollywood horror genre as part of the iconic Ramsay Brothers.

Renowned for directing cult classics like Purana Mandir (1984) and Veerana (1988), he played a pivotal role in establishing the Ramsay Brothers’ legacy in Indian cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.

Profile

• Full Name: Shyam Ramsinghani
• Stage Name: Shyam Ramsay
• Born: 17, May 1952
• Date of Death: 18, September 2019
• Age: 67 years old
• Birthplace: Bombay, State of Bombay, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Fatehchand U. Ramsinghani, Mrs. Ramsinghani
• Siblings: Kumar Ramsay, Gangu Ramsay, Tulsi Ramsay, Arjun Ramsay, Keshu Ramsay, Kiran Ramsay
• Spouse: Unknown
• Children: Saasha Ramsay
• Relationship: Unknown
• Net Worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Shyam Ramsinghani was born on May 17, 1952, in Bombay, State of Bombay, India, to Fatehchand U. Ramsinghani, a businessman who later ventured into film production, and Mrs. Ramsinghani.

He was one of seven brothers and two sisters, part of a Hindu family of Sindhi descent that relocated to Mumbai from Karachi during the 1947 Partition of India.

Details about Shyam’s educational background are sparse, with no publicly available information on schools attended or degrees earned. Shyam’s ethnicity was Sindhi, and his religious beliefs were not publicly disclosed.

Career

Shyam Ramsay began his career as part of the Ramsay Brothers, a family of filmmakers who revolutionized Indian horror cinema. Initially, the family ran an electronics shop in Mumbai, but their passion for films led them to produce low-budget horror movies.

Shyam, alongside his brother Tulsi, took on directing duties, with their first major success being Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche (1972), a landmark film shot on a modest budget of Rs 3.5 lakhs in just 40 days.

This film set the tone for the Ramsay Brothers’ signature style—low-cost, high-impact horror with suspenseful storytelling. Shyam’s directorial debut, Darwaza (1978), further cemented their reputation, followed by hits like Aur Kaun? (1979) and Guest House (1980), which captivated audiences with their eerie narratives and innovative scares.

The 1980s marked the peak of Shyam’s career, as he directed some of the Ramsay Brothers’ most iconic films, including Purana Mandir (1984), Tahkhana (1986), and Veerana (1988).

These films, known for their blend of supernatural elements, gore, and Bollywood melodrama, became cult classics and established the Ramsay Brothers as pioneers of the horror genre in India.

Shyam’s ability to create suspense on limited budgets earned him praise, with a collaborator once noting his knack for “scaring people without spending a lot of money.”

As the popularity of horror films waned in the late 1980s, Shyam shifted his focus to television, launching Zee Horror Show in 1993, India’s first horror TV series, which became a massive hit and inspired a loyal fanbase, evident in online communities on platforms like Facebook.

Shyam Ramsay returned to filmmaking in the 2000s with Dhund: The Fog (2003), followed by Ghutan (2007) and the comedy-horror Bachao (2010). His final directorial work, Neighbours (2014), explored contemporary horror themes.

He also collaborated with his daughter, Saasha Ramsay, on the TV series Neeli Aankhen (2008) for Sahara One, showcasing his adaptability across mediums.

Shyam’s work, characterized by resourceful filmmaking and a deep understanding of audience fears, left an indelible mark on Indian horror cinema, influencing modern filmmakers and earning a biographical drama project backed by Ajay Devgn to chronicle the Ramsay family’s journey.

Shyam passed away in 2019, but his legacy endures through his contributions to the genre.

Social Media

Shyam Ramsay does not have a social media account

Personal Life

Shyam Ramsay maintained a private personal life, with limited public information about his relationships or family beyond his daughter, Saasha Ramsay, who followed in his footsteps as a filmmaker.

No records indicate a spouse or romantic partners, and he was known to focus primarily on his career and family legacy in the film industry.

Shyam passed away on September 18, 2019, in Mumbai due to complications from pneumonia, leaving behind a daughter and a storied cinematic legacy.

Filmography

• Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche (1972)
• Darwaza (1978)
• Aur Kaun? (1979)
• Guest House (1980)
• Purana Mandir (1984)
• Tahkhana (1986)
• Veerana (1988)
• Bandh Darwaza (1990)
• Dhund: The Fog (2003)
• Ghutan (2007)
• Bachao (2010)
• Neighbours (2014)

Net Worth

Shyam Ramsay’s estimated net worth at the time of his death in 2019 was approximately $1 million. His wealth was primarily derived from his extensive career in filmmaking, particularly through the success of low-budget horror films produced under the Ramsay Brothers banner, which consistently performed well at the box office.