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Ayan Mukerji
Ayan M Jio-MAMI-Film-Club.jpg
Mukerji in 2017
Born (1983-08-15) 15 August 1983 (age 41)
Other names Ayan Mukherjee
Occupation
  • Director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active 2004–present
Parent(s) Deb Mukherjee
Family Mukherjee-Samarth family

Ayan Mukerji (born on August 15, 1983) is an Indian filmmaker. He is well-known for making movies in Hindi. Ayan is part of the famous Mukherjee-Samarth family, which has many people involved in the film industry. He often works with actor Ranbir Kapoor and the production company Dharma Productions, which is owned by Karan Johar.

Ayan Mukerji directed his first movie, Wake Up Sid, in 2009. This film was about growing up and received great reviews. His next two movies, the romantic comedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) and the fantasy adventure Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022), became some of the highest-earning Hindi films. All three movies earned him nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. He also won the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director for Wake Up Sid.

Early Life and Family Connections

Ayan Mukerji was born in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. His father, Deb Mukherjee, was a Bengali film actor. Ayan's family has been involved in the Indian film industry since the 1930s. His grandfather, Sashadhar Mukherjee, was one of the first people to start a film studio called Filmistan Studio in Mumbai. He produced many popular films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959) and Leader (1964). Filmistan Studio is still run by Ayan's family today.

Ayan's grandmother, Satidevi Mukherjee, was the sister of famous actors Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar. Many other family members, including his uncles and cousins, are also part of the film world. This includes actresses Kajol and Rani Mukherjee.

Ayan went to Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai. He started studying at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology but left after his first year. He wanted to work in films and became an assistant to director Ashutosh Gowariker on the movie Swades (2004).

Ayan Mukerji's Film Career

Starting Out and First Film (2004–2009)

Ayan Mukerji began his career helping out on film sets. He was an assistant director for his brother-in-law Ashutosh Gowariker on the film Swades in 2004. Later, he assisted Karan Johar on the musical drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006). He even appeared briefly as an extra in that movie.

After a short break, Ayan wrote and directed his first film, Wake Up Sid, in 2009. This movie starred Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. It was the first time Ayan worked with Ranbir Kapoor, and they have made several films together since. Wake Up Sid is about a rich college student who learns to be responsible. The film was produced by Dharma Productions and was loved by critics. It also did very well at the box office. For Wake Up Sid, Ayan won the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director.

Big Success and Future Projects (2013–Present)

Ayan mukherji
Mukerji in 2012

Ayan Mukerji had a huge hit with his next film, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, in 2013. This romantic comedy-drama starred Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. It was also produced by Karan Johar's company. The story is about two friends who meet on a trip and then reconnect years later at a wedding. The movie received excellent reviews for its direction, music, and acting. It became a major blockbuster and was one of the highest-earning Hindi films of 2013. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani earned Ayan another nomination for Best Director at the Filmfare Awards. This film has remained very popular with young audiences.

Ayan's next big project was the fantasy film Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, released in 2022. He wrote and directed this movie, which starred Ranbir Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, and Nagarjuna. This film is the first part of a planned trilogy called Āstraverse. Ayan first thought of the idea for Brahmāstra in 2011, inspired by Indian history and childhood stories. The movie received mixed reviews but was praised for its visual effects and action. It became Ayan's second big blockbuster, earning a lot of money worldwide. It was the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2022. Ayan received his third Filmfare Award nomination for Best Director for Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. The next two parts, Brahmāstra: Part Two – Dev and Brahmāstra: Part Three, are being developed and are expected to release in December 2026 and 2027.

Ayan Mukerji is also directing War 2, which is part of the YRF Spy Universe. This is his first film not produced by Dharma Productions. The movie stars Hrithik Roshan, N. T. Rama Rao Jr., and Kiara Advani. War 2 is scheduled to be released on August 14, 2025.

Films Ayan Mukerji Has Worked On

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
2004 Swades No Yes No
2009 Wake Up Sid Yes Yes No
2013 Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Yes Yes No
2022 Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva Yes Yes Yes
2025 War 2 dagger Yes No No Post-production

Other Roles

Year Title Role
2004 Swades Assistant director
2006 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
2023 Tiger 3 Director of post-credits scene

Acting Roles

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Home Delivery Karan’s colleague Cameo appearances
2006 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Extra in the song "Tumhi Dekho Naa"
2013 Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani DJ in party

Awards and Recognition

Ayan Mukerji has won and been nominated for several awards for his work as a director and writer.

Film Award Category Result Ref
Wake Up Sid 55th Filmfare Awards Best Director Nominated
Best Debut Director Won
Screen Awards Best Debut Director Nominated
Stardust Awards Hottest New Director Won
Producers Guild Film Awards Best Debut Director Won
Best Director Nominated
Best Story Nominated
11th IIFA Awards Best Director Nominated
Best Story Nominated
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani BIG Star Entertainment Awards Most Entertaining Director Nominated
59th Filmfare Awards Best Director Nominated
Screen Awards Nominated
15th IIFA Awards Nominated
Producers Guild Film Awards Nominated
Best Screenplay Nominated
Zee Cine Awards Won
Best Director Won
Best Story Nominated
Best Dialogue Nominated
ETC Bollywood Business Awards Bollywood Business Award (shared with Karan Johar) Won
Bollywood Hungama Surfers' Choice Movie Awards Best Director Nominated
Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva 68th Filmfare Awards Nominated
International Indian Film Academy Awards Nominated
Best Story Nominated
Zee Cine Awards Nominated
Best Director Won
News18 REEL Movie Awards Won
Bollywood Life Awards Nominated
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