Veteran actor Deb Mukherjee, father of acclaimed director Ayan Mukerji, passed away at the age of 83. He had been unwell and was hospitalized, where he breathed his last at 9:30 am today, March 14 (Friday). His funeral will take place today evening 4pm at Pawan Hans, Mumbai.
Deb Mukherjee’s contributions to Indian cinema, though perhaps overshadowed by some of his contemporaries, remain noteworthy. He appeared in films such as ‘Abhinetri,’ ‘Ek Baar Muskurado,’ ‘Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool,’ ‘King Uncle,’ ‘Kaminey,’ and ‘Main Tulsi Tere Aangan ki.’
Just last year, during Durga Puja celebrations, Deb Mukherjee was actively involved in the festivities alongside his nieces, actresses Kajol and Rani Mukerji. His presence highlighted his enduring connection to family traditions and the cultural fabric of the industry.
Deb Mukherjee’s personal life was marked by two marriages. From his first marriage, he had a daughter, Sunita, who is married to renowned director Ashutosh Gowariker. His second marriage blessed him with a son, Ayan Mukerji, who has made a significant mark in Bollywood with films like ‘Wake Up Sid,’ ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,’ and ‘Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva.’
Born on 22 November 1941 in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Deb Mukherjee hailed from the illustrious Mukherjee-Samarth family, a lineage that has been integral to Bollywood since the 1930s. His father, Sashadhar Mukherjee, was the owner of Filmalaya Studios and produced notable films like ‘Love in Simla’ (1960). Deb’s mother, Satidevi Mukherjee, was the sister of the legendary Ashok Kumar, Anup Kumar, and Kishore Kumar, further cementing the family’s cinematic heritage. His brothers included Joy Mukherjee, a successful actor in the 1960s, and Shomu Mukherjee, who was married to actress Tanuja.
