Hrishikesh Mukherjee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Mukherjee on a 2013 stamp of India
Born	(1922-09-30)30 September 1922 Calcutta, British India (present-day Kolkata, India)
Died	27 August 2006(2006-08-27) (aged 83) Mumbai, India
Occupation	Film director screenwriter

Hrishikesh Mukherjee (born September 30, 1922 – died August 27, 2006) was a very important Indian film director, editor, and writer. People often called him Hrishi-da. He is known as one of the greatest filmmakers in Indian cinema history.

He directed 42 films over more than 40 years. He was a pioneer of what's called 'middle cinema' in India. This means his films found a balance between big, flashy mainstream movies and very serious, realistic art films. His movies often showed the lives and feelings of the middle class in India.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee also led important film organizations. He was the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which approves films, and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The Government of India gave him the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1999 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001. These are two of India's highest honors for people in the arts. He also won eight Filmfare Awards.

Early Life and Education

Hrishikesh Mukherjee was born in Calcutta, which was part of British India at the time. He came from a Bengali family.

He studied science at the University of Calcutta and earned a degree in chemistry. Before he started his film career, he taught mathematics and science for a while.

Film Career Highlights

Hrishikesh Mukherjee began his journey in films in the late 1940s. He started as a cameraman and then became a film editor at New Theatres in Kolkata. There, he learned a lot from a famous editor named Subodh Mitter.

In 1951, he moved to Mumbai and worked with the well-known director Bimal Roy. He was an editor and assistant director for Roy's famous films like Do Bigha Zamin and Devdas.

His first film as a director was Musafir in 1957, but it wasn't a big hit. However, his second film, Anari (1959), was very successful. It won five Filmfare Awards.

Over the years, he made many popular films. He was known for making movies that were simple, heartwarming, and often funny, but also had a deeper message. Some of his most famous films include:

• Anand (1971)
• Guddi (1971)
• Bawarchi (1972)
• Abhimaan (1973)
• Chupke Chupke (1975)
• Gol Maal (1979)
• Khubsoorat (1980)

He was also known for giving big breaks to many actors. He introduced Dharmendra to comedy roles in Chupke Chupke. He also helped Amitabh Bachchan become a star with Anand and introduced Jaya Bhaduri to Hindi cinema in his film Guddi.

Later Life and Recognition

In 1999, the Government of India honored Hrishikesh Mukherjee with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This is the highest award in Indian cinema. In 2001, he received the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India.

He continued to be involved in the film industry. He was the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and the National Film Development Corporation. In November 2005, the International Film Festival of India showed a special collection of his films to honor him.

His last film was Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate in 1998. He also directed TV shows like Talaash.

Personal Life

Hrishikesh Mukherjee was married and had five children: three daughters and two sons. His wife passed away many years before him. His younger brother, Dwarkanath Mukherjee, helped him write screenplays for many of his films.

He loved animals very much. He had many dogs and sometimes a cat at his home in Bandra, Mumbai. In his later years, he lived with his servants and pets, but his family and friends visited him often.

Death

In his later years, Hrishikesh Mukherjee suffered from kidney failure. He passed away on August 27, 2006, in Mumbai, after being admitted to the hospital.

Awards and Honors

Hrishikesh Mukherjee received many awards for his work in cinema.

• 2001: Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India
• 2001: NTR National Award

Filmfare Awards

• 1956: Filmfare Best Editing Award: Naukari
• 1959: Filmfare Best Editing Award: Madhumati
• 1970: Filmfare Best Screenplay Award: Anokhi Raat
• 1972: Filmfare Best Movie Award: Anand (shared)
• 1972: Filmfare Best Editing Award: Anand
• 1972: Filmfare Best Story Award: Anand
• 1981: Filmfare Best Movie Award: Khubsoorat (shared)
• 1994: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South

National Film Awards

• 1957: Certificate of Merit for Third Best Feature Film in Hindi – Musafir
• 1959: President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi – Anari
• 1960: President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film – Anuradha
• 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: Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Notable Films as Director

Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed many films. Here are some of them:

Films as Editor, Writer, or Assistant Director

Hrishikesh Mukherjee also played other important roles in filmmaking:

TV Serials

Hrishikesh Mukherjee also directed television shows:

• Hum Hindustani (1986)
• Talaash (1992)
• Dhoop Chhaon
• Rishte
• Ujaale Ki Or
• Agar Aisa Ho Toh

See also

In Spanish: Hrishikesh Mukherjee para niños