This legendary filmmaker gave Amitabh Bachchan his big break, introduced Dharmendra to the industry, and even launched Jaya Bhaduri’s career. He is…
A film director, editor, and writer, he was regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers in Indian cinema. With a career spanning over four decades, he directed 42 films and is considered a pioneer of India’s ‘middle cinema.’ Known for his socially relevant films that captured the evolving ethos of the middle class, he “carved a middle path between the extravagance of mainstream cinema and the stark realism of art cinema.” His notable works include Anari, Satyakam, Chupke Chupke, Anupama, Anand, Abhimaan, Guddi, Kissi Se Na Kehna, Gol Maal, Majhli Didi, Chaitali, Aashirwad, Bawarchi, Khubsoorat, and Namak Haraam.
The legendary actor was a recipient of the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Award. The government of India honoured him in 1999 for his contribution to Indian cinema. He also received seven National Film Awards. He holds the distinction of working with almost all the top Indian stars since the independence of India in 1947. This legend was the first to introduce Dharmendra in comedy roles, through Chupke Chupke, and gave Amitabh Bachchan his big break with Anand in 1970. He also introduced Jaya Bhaduri to Bollywood with Guddi. We are talking about Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
If stars like Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan feared anyone, it was Hrishikesh Mukherjee. His approach to filling a blank canvas was unlike any other. Amitabh once mentioned in an interview that he would only learn about the script after arriving on set, knowing the scene only because Dada (Hrishikesh Mukherjee) would personally act it out. He had a unique ability to convey profound ideas in the simplest ways. His dialogues weren’t just lines for his characters – they resonated deeply with families. Even years later, moments like Utpal Dutt’s energetic “Beta Ramprasad” or the quirky Hindi phrase “Lauh Path Gamini Vishram Sthal” in Chupke Chupke remain etched in people’s memories.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Amitabh Bachchan, who has done several films such as Abhimaan and Anand with him, said that the late director was like a godfather to him. In his blog, Big B wrote about Hrishikesh Mukherjee. “Hrishi Da was godfather to us. His kind of cinema has disappeared and we miss that much, but there are a few who endeavour to bring back those stories of old and present them to us. If I remember correctly Hrishi da was the one director with whom I have worked the maximum number of films – 9 in number. Perhaps Ram Gopal Verma may beat that record, but that is a maybe,” wrote Mr Bachchan.” He continued, “A master storyteller, a master editor and one that worked within minimum cost and time, but the characters he gave us were special. Be it Anand, Mili, Bemisal, Jurmana, Chupke Chupke, Namak Haram, all had great moments for performance and depth,” he added.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee debuted as director with 1957’s Musafir starring Dilip Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Suchitra Sen and Usha Kiran.
