:Hrishikesh Mukherjee
{{Short description|Indian film director (1922–2006)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox person
|name = Hrishikesh Mukherjee
|image =Hrishikesh Mukherjee 2013 stamp of India.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
|caption =Mukherjee on a 2013 stamp of India
|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1922|09|30}}
|birth_place = Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Kolkata, India)
|death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2006|08|27|1922|09|30}}
|death_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|editor|screenwriter}}
|years_active =
|spouse =
|children =
|signature=
|signature_alt=
|awards =
|honours = Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1999)
Padma Vibhushan (2001)
}}
Hrishikesh Mukherjee (30 September 1922 – 27 August 2006) was an Indian film director, editor and writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema. Popularly known as Hrishi-da, he directed 42 films during his career spanning over four decades, and is named the pioneer of the 'middle cinema' of India. Renowned for his social films that reflected the changing middle-class ethos, Mukherjee "carved a middle path between the extravagance of mainstream cinema and the stark realism of art cinema".{{cite book|author1=Gulzar |author2=Nihalani, Govind |author3=Chatterjee, Saibal |title=Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema|year=2003|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica (India) Pvt Ltd.|isbn=81-7991-066-0|page=592}}[http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/dec/17dinesh.htm The common man lure of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films] Rediff.com.[http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/28slide1.htm Hrishikesh Mukherjee's best films] Special Photo feature, Rediff.com, 28 August 2006.{{cite news|author=Duara, Ajit|title=A touch of realism|date=3 September 2006|access-date=19 September 2011|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/09/03/stories/2006090300310500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110161843/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/09/03/stories/2006090300310500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2012|newspaper=The Hindu}}
He is known for a number of films, including Anari, Satyakam, Chupke Chupke, Anupama, Anand, {{Lang|hi-latn|Abhimaan}}, Guddi, Gol Maal, Majhli Didi, Chaitali, Aashirwad, Bawarchi, Khubsoorat, {{Lang|hi-latn|Kissi Se Na Kehna}}, and {{Lang|hi-latn|Namak Haraam}}.
He also remained the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The Government of India honoured him with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1999 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He received the NTR National Award in 2001 and he also won eight Filmfare Awards.
Early life and background
Hrishikesh Mukherjee was born in the city of Calcutta (now Kolkata) in pre-independence India to a Bengali Brahmin family.{{Cite web|date=2006-08-28|title=Hrishikesh Mukherjee|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/hrishikesh-mukherjee-413774.html|access-date=2022-01-08|website=The Independent|language=en}} He studied science and graduated in chemistry from the University of Calcutta. He taught mathematics and science for some time before taking up filmmaking as a career.
Career
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.[http://www.ultraindia.com/movies/awards/hrishikesh.htm Hrishikesh Mukherjee Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015095045/http://ultraindia.com/movies/awards/hrishikesh.htm |date=15 October 2007 }} on winning, the 31st Dada Saheb Phalke Award. He then worked with Bimal Roy in Mumbai as film editor and assistant director from 1951,[http://www.upperstall.com/people/hrishikesh-mukherjee Hrishikesh Mukherjee] Upperstall.com. 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), Anupama (1966), Aashirwad (1968), Satyakam (1969), Guddi (1971), Anand (1971), Bawarchi (1972), {{Lang|hi-latn|Abhimaan}} (1973), {{Lang|hi-latn|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.[http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=53183e3d-34a2-4bc5-8c5f-e629fc02f02e&&Headline=Remembering+Hrishikesh+Mukherjee&strParent=strParentID Remembering Hrishikesh Mukherjee] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905232647/http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=53183e3d-34a2-4bc5-8c5f-e629fc02f02e&&Headline=Remembering%20Hrishikesh%20Mukherjee&strParent=strParentID |date=5 September 2008 }} Hindustan Times, 26 August 2008 Having worked with his mentor, Bimal Roy as an editor, in films like Madhumati, he was much sought after as an editor as well.[http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/aug/28hm.htm Remembering Hrishida] Rediff.com, 28 August 2006.
Later life
Mukherjee was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India, in 1999.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultraindia.com/movies/awards/hrishikesh.htm |title=Hrishikesh Mukherjee wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015095045/http://ultraindia.com/movies/awards/hrishikesh.htm |archive-date=15 October 2007 }} 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.
His last film was Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate. Since his original hero Amol Palekar had grown old he had to cast Anil Kapoor. He has also directed TV serials like Talaash.
Death
In later life, Mukherjee suffered from chronic kidney failure and would go to Lilavati Hospital for dialysis. He was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai early on Tuesday, 6 June 2006 after he complained of uneasiness. Mukherjee died few weeks later on 27 August 2006.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1930646.cms Hrishikesh Mukherjee is dead].The Times of India, 27 August 2006.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121004102108/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/filmmaker-hrishikesh-mukherjee-dead/19858-8.html Filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee dead] CNN-IBN, 28 August 2006.
Personal life
Mukherjee was married and has three daughters and two sons.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/5291132.stm?ls Veteran Bollywood director dies] BBC News, 27 August 2006. 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.
Awards
- 2001: Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India
- 2001: NTR National Award
- Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman from the Government of Madhya Pradesh for 1997-1998{{Cite web |title=क्या है 'किशोर अलंकरण', किन हस्तियों को मिल चुका है ये सम्मान |url=https://www.amarujala.com/education/kishore-kumar-samman-recipient-list-waheeda-rehman-to-be-awarded-this-year |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}{{Cite news |date=2010-10-15 |title=The Kishore Kumar award instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1997, is given away for direction, acting, script writing and lyrics every year. Past recipients of the prestigious award have included Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, Shyam Benegal and Amitabh Bachchan. This year it has been given to Yash Chopra. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/the-kishore-kumar-award-instituted-by-the-madhya-pradesh-government-in-1997-is-given-away-for-direction-acting-script-writing-and-lyrics-every-year-past-recipients-of-the-prestigious-award-have-included-hrishikesh-mukherjee-gulzar-shyam-benegal-and-amitabh-bachchan-this-year-it-has-been-given-to-yash-chopra-/articleshow/6752191.cms |access-date=2024-03-05 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
;Berlin International Film Festival
- 1961: Golden Bear: Nomination: Anuradha[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137362/awards Awards] Internet Movie Database
- 1956: Filmfare Best Editing Award: Naukari
- 1959: Filmfare Best Editing Award: Madhumati
- 1970: Filmfare Best Screenplay Award: {{Lang|hi-latn|Anokhi Raat}}{{cite web|title=Best Screenplay Award |url=http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_screenplay.htm |publisher=Filmfare Award Official Listings, Indiatimes |access-date=28 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429080308/http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_screenplay.htm |archive-date=29 April 2014 }}
- 1972: Filmfare Best Movie Award: Anand shared with N. C. Sippy
- 1972: Filmfare Best Editing Award: Anand
- 1972: Filmfare Best Story Award: Anand
- 1981: Filmfare Best Movie Award: Khubsoorat shared with N. C. Sippy
- 1994: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1994){{cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/lifetime-achievement-award-south-winners-down-the-years-6684.html|title=Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years...}}
- 1970: Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor: Priya{{Cite web |last=Vijayakumar |first=B |date=6 May 2012 |title=Old Is Gold: Priya 1970 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/old-is-gold-priya-1970/article3387630.ece |access-date=6 November 2020 |website=The Hindu}}
- 1974: Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor: Nellu
- 1957: Certificate of Merit for Third Best Feature Film in Hindi – Musafir{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/5th_nff.pdf|title=5th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=2 September 2011}}
- 1959: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi – Anari{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/7th_nff.pdf|title=7th National Film Awards|publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals|access-date=4 September 2011}}
- 1960: President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film – Anuradha{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm8thNFAAward.aspx|title=8th National Film Awards|publisher=International Film Festival of India|access-date=7 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012062918/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm8thNFAAward.aspx|archive-date=12 October 2013|url-status=dead}}
- 1966: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi – Anupama
- 1968: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi – Aashirwad
- 1969: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi – Satyakam
- 1970: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi – Anand
- 1999: Dada Saheb Phalke Award
Filmography
=Films as director=
=Films as editor, writer or assistant director=
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Year | Film | Production Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947
|Tathapi | | | |||
| 1950
|Pehla Aadmi |Editor, Assistant Director | | |||
| 1952
|Maa |Editor, Assistant Director | | |||
| 1953
|Scenario, editor, Assistant Director | | |||
| 1953
|Editor | | |||
| 1954
|Editor | | |||
| 1955
|Co-editor with Das Dhaimade | |||
| 1955
|Editor | | |||
| 1958
|Editor | | |||
| 1959
|Heera Moti | | | ||
| 1961
|Char Diwari |Editor | | |||
| 1961
|Co-editor with Das Dhaimade | | |||
| 1965
| Chemmeen |Editor | | |||
| 1968
|Editor | | |||
| 1974
| Nellu |Editor | | |||
| 1970
|Editor | | |||
| 1977
|Story, producer | | |||
| 1977
|Anuroopa | One and only Kannada Film as editor | |||
| 1981
|Editor | |||
| 1983
| Coolie |Editor | |
=TV serials=
- Hum Hindustani (1986)
- Talaash (1992)
- Dhoop Chhaon
- Rishte
- Ujaale Ki Or
- Agar Aisa Ho Toh
Further reading
- Great Masters of Indian Cinema: The Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners, by D. P. Mishra, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, 2006. {{ISBN|81-230-1361-2}}. page 122.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0611531}}
- [http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:227417 Hrishikesh Mukherjee] at AllMovie
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{{Dadasaheb Phalke Award}}
{{NTR National Award}}
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{{Hrishikesh Mukherjee}}
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{{Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South}}
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{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Art}}
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