Today I am writing about the Bollywood’s one of the most respected director, who has been credited with pioneer of middle cinema. During his career of more than 4 decades, he even edited the films and producer of many films. Friends, I am talking about HRISHIKESH MUKHERHEE, a director par excellence. Popularly known as Hrishi Da, he diorected 42 films during his career. Renown for his social films that reflected the shanging/emerging middle class, he carved a middle path between extravagance of main stream cinema and stark realism of art cinema.
He was born in Calcutta on 30th September 1922. He was science graduate in chemistry and even taught mathematics and science for some time. He started his career in the late 40s, initally as cameraman, and then editor in New Theatres Calcutta. In early 50s he shifted himself to Bombay, and in 1953 he got the break as Assistant director and Editor in Bimal Roy’s DO Beegha Zameen. He continued as editor for many films and in 1957 he got his break as director in film called Musafir starring Dilip Kumar.He cemented his place as director in Bollywood with 1959 film Anari, whicvch went on to win the national award for best feature film in Hindi, and after that he never looked back. Although he had become director he continued to work as editor for many films.
He made numerous films as director and some of most notable in later years were Anuradha (1960), Chhaya (1961) Asli Naqli (1962) Anupama (1966), Asahirwad (1969). Satyakam (1969) Guddi (1971) Anand (1971), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haram (1973), Milli (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Golmaal (1979), Khubsoorat (1980), Bemisal (1982), Naram Garam (1981), Rang Birangi (1983) and Namumkin (1988).
Along with Priducer, Director and Editor has also penned the story of many films and also written screenplay for many films. His notable films as editor were Do Bigha Zameen (1953), Parineeta (1954), Biraj Bahu (1955). Devdas co editir (1956), Madhumati (1958), Heera Moti (1959), Char Diwari (1961), Ganga Jamuna co editor (1961), MereHamdam Mere Dost (1968), Daswtak (1970) and Anand (1971). He also edited one Malyalam film Cheemen (1965) and one Kanada film Anuroopa (1977).
As a writer he worked in films like Do Bigha Zameen-Screenplay (1953), Anand –story (1971), Anokhi Raat –screenplay (1970) and Alaap-story (1977)
As a producer he had fruitful relatiionship with NC Sippy ang jointly they produced many films.
His last film as director was Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate (1998). But this film failed at box office, as his style of cinema was not accepted by young audience.
He was first to introduce Dharmendra in comedy role with Chupke Chupke, and gave Amitabh Bachchan his first big break in Anand, along with then reigning superstar Rajesh Khanna. He also introduced Jaya Bhaduri to Hindi cinema with Guddi.
He was chairman of the Central Board of Film Certifications and also of National Film Development Corporation. He was honoured by govt with Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1999 and with Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He had the distinction of working with almost all the top stars since independence.
In his later years he directed many TV serials also like Hum Hindustani (1986), Talaash, Dhoop Chhaon, Rishte, Ujale Ki Or and Agar Aisa Ho Toh.
Mukherjee was married and has three daughters and two sons. His wife died more than three decades before him. His younger brother Dwarkanath Mukherjee helped write the screenplay for many of his films. He was an animal lover and had many dogs and sometimes an odd cat at his residence in Bandra Mumbai. He was staying with only his servants and pets in the last phase of his life. Family members and friends would visit him regularly.
In later part of his life he suffered from chronic kidney failure and was dependent on dialysis, and on 27th August 2006 he expired due to complications arising out of kidney failure.
Althiugh he was more famous as director but he never won any major award for director. He won the award as producer, editor, writer (story, screen play) but never as director.
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Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
19th March 2021v
R. N. Mungale.
Yes. We liked the infomation.