Mumbai: Legendary filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee died at Mumbai’s Leelavati Hospital on 27 August at 4.30 pm. The octogenarian
director had been battling with ill health for more than three months and was suffering from chronic renal failure,
lungs infection and coronary artery failure.
Mukherjee’s funeral will be held on 29 August after his son returns from the United States. He leaves behind three daughters and a son. The minister for Information and Broadcasting and Affairs, P R Dasmunsi condoled the death of Mukherjee.
Dasmunshi said, “I am deeply shocked to learn that the veteran film director, Shri Hrishikesh Mukherjeee has passed away. A film director par excellence, ‘Hrishida’
gave new dimensions to Hindi and Bangla cinema. His uncanny understating of film and psychology is reflected in his
immortal work which provided wholesome family entertainment. He was a genius in the field of film and created cinematic
masterpieces on various as well as comic subjects. His directorial genius was acclaimed worldwide. Besides, being a thorough professional Hrishida possessed the sterling qualities of heart and endeared himself to all those who came into his contact.”
“His contribution to cinema will be remembered throughout generation to come. In his demise, the country has lost a singing star of Indian cinema. I expressed my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray to the Almighty that his soul may rest in peace in heaven,” Dasmunshi added.
Mukherjee’s first directorial venture was Musafir, which released in 1957. Some of the other films to his credit are Anari
1959), Anuradha (1960), Asli-Naqli (1962), Anupama (1966), Aashirwad (1968), Satyakam (1969), Anand (1970), Guddi (1971), Abhimaan (1973), Mili and Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979) and Sadma (1983) amongst others. His last Hindi film was the Anil Kapoor – Juhi Chawla starrer Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate in 1999.
