| Who is it? | Director, Editor, Writer |
| Birth Day | September 30, 1922 |
| Age | 98 YEARS OLD |
| Died On | 27 August 2006(2006-08-27) (aged 83)\nMumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Birth Sign | Libra |
| Occupation | Film director, Screenwriter |
Hrishikesh Mukherjee, a multitalented individual known for his exceptional skills as a director, editor, and writer, was born in 1922. His contributions to the Indian film industry are highly revered, making him a prominent figure in Bollywood. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $100K and $1M, a testament to his valuable body of work and successful career. Mukherjee's films were known for their simplicity, warmth, and relatability, which resonated with audiences across generations. His work continues to inspire and entertain viewers, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest filmmakers in Indian cinema.
Mukherjee chose to begin working, initially as a cameraman, and then film Editor, in B. N. Sircar's New Theatres in Calcutta in the late 1940s, where he learned his skills from Subodh Mitter ('Kenchida'), a well known Editor of his times. He then worked with Bimal Roy in Mumbai as film Editor and assistant Director from 1951, participating in the landmark Roy films Do Bigha Zamin and Devdas.
His debut directorial venture, Musafir (1957), was not a success, but he persisted and received acclaim for his second film Anari in 1959. The film, crew and cast won five Filmfare Awards, with Mukherjee only losing the Best Director Award to his mentor, Bimal Roy.
In the following years he made numerous films. Some of his most notable films include: Anuradha (1960), Chhaya (1961), Asli-Naqli (1962), Anand (1971), Anupama (1966), Aashirwad (1968), Satyakam (1969), Guddi (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haraam (1973), Mili (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Alaap (1977), Gol Maal (1979), Khubsoorat (1980) and Bemisal (1982). He was the first to introduce Dharmendra in comedy roles, through Chupke Chupke, and gave Amitabh Bachchan his big break with Anand in 1970, along with Rajesh Khanna, he also introduced Jaya Bhaduri to Hindi cinema in his film Guddi. Having worked with his mentor, Bimal Roy as an Editor, in films like Madhumati, he was much sought after as an Editor as well.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India, in 1999. Mukherjee was chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and of the National Film Development Corporation. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award for his contribution to Indian cinema by government of India in 2001 . The International Film Festival of India honoured him with a retrospective of his films in November 2005. He holds the distinction of working with almost all the top Indian stars since independence of India in 1947.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee was suffering from chronic renal failure and would go to Lilavati Hospital for dialysis. He was admitted to Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai early on Tuesday, 6 June 2006 after he complained of uneasiness. Mukherjee died ten weeks later on 27 August 2006.
