Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Hrishikesh Mukherjee (30 September 1922 – 27 August 2006) was an Indian film director, editor and writer regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema, known for a number of films, including "Anari", "Satyakam", "Chupke Chupke", "Anupama", "Anand", "Abhimaan", "Guddi", "Gol Maal", "Majhli Didi", "Chaitali", "Aashirwad", "Bawarchi", "Khubsoorat", "Kissi Se Na Kehna", and "Namak Haraam." 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". 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 in pre-independence India (now Kolkata) to a Bengali brahmin family. He studied science and graduated  in chemistry from the University of Calcutta. He taught mathematics and science for some time. 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. He then worked with Bimal Roy in Mumbai as film editor and assistant director from 1951, 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), "Abhimaan" (1973), "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". Having worked with his mentor, Bimal Roy as an editor, in films like "Madhumati", he was much sought after as an editor as well. Later life. Mukherjee was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India, in 1999. 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. Personal life. Mukherjee was married and has three daughters and two sons. 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. Hrishikesh Mukherjee