Bollywood director Ayan Mukerji’s father, actor Deb Mukherjee, has passed away, confirmed a spokesperson for Dharma Productions to SCREEN on Friday. Deb Mukherjee, 83, was known for his roles in classic films like Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Baaton Baaton Mein (1979), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992), and Kaminey (2009). He reportedly passed away due to age-related ailments after being unwell for the past few months.
According to Times Now, his last rites will be held at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai, on Friday evening. Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Rani Mukerji, and Sidharth Malhotra are expected to attend the funeral.
A member of the renowned Mukherjee-Samarth film family, Deb’s father, Sashadhar Mukherjee, was a famous producer and the founder of Filmalaya Studios. His mother, Satidevi Mukherjee, was the only sister of cinematic legends Ashok Kumar, Anup Kumar, and Kishore Kumar. Deb’s brothers also had prominent careers in the film industry. His brother Joy Mukherjee was an actor, and his other brother, writer-director Shomu Mukherjee, was married to veteran actress Tanuja. Bollywood actresses Kajol and Tanishaa are their daughters.
Deb Mukherjee was married twice, and his daughter from his first marriage, film producer Sunita, is married to acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker. Ayan Mukerji is his son from his second marriage.
Ayan began his film career by assisting his brother-in-law, Ashutosh Gowariker, on the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Swades(2004) before working as an assistant director with Karan Johar on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006), which starred SRK, Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, and Abhishek Bachchan. Ayan made his directorial debut with the successful Wake Up Sid (2009), starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma. His strong bond with Ranbir Kapoor led the actor to star in Ayan’s later projects: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022).
