Created by Gotitbro
Last edited March 15, 2026
robot: Update article (please report if you notice any mistake or error in this edit)
reworked page based on references and improved wording for consistency
 
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Family name hatnote|Mukherjee|lang=Bengali}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name        = Sashadhar Mukherjee
| name        = Sashadhar Mukherjee
Line 7: Line 8:
| caption      = Mukherjee in November 1945
| caption      = Mukherjee in November 1945
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1909|09|29}}
| birth_date  = {{birth date|df=yes|1909|09|29}}
| birth_place  = [[Jhansi]], [[Gwalior State]], [[United Provinces of Agra and Oudh]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br />{{small|(present–day [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])}}
| birth_place  = [[Jhansi]], [[Gwalior State]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br />{{small|(present–day [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[India]])}}
| death_date  = {{death date and age|df=yes|1990|11|03|1909|09|29}}
| death_date  = {{death date and age|df=yes|1990|11|03|1909|09|29}}
| death_place  = [[Mumbai|Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]<br />{{small|(present-day [[Mumbai]])}}
| death_place  = [[Mumbai|Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]<br />{{small|(present-day [[Mumbai]])}}
Line 15: Line 16:
| children    = 6 (including [[Joy Mukherjee]], [[Deb Mukherjee]], and [[Shomu Mukherjee]])
| children    = 6 (including [[Joy Mukherjee]], [[Deb Mukherjee]], and [[Shomu Mukherjee]])
| relatives    = [[Ashok Kumar]]<br />[[Anoop Kumar]]<br />[[Kishore Kumar]]
| relatives    = [[Ashok Kumar]]<br />[[Anoop Kumar]]<br />[[Kishore Kumar]]
(All; brother-in-law)
(Brothers-in-law)
| family      = [[Mukherjee-Samarth family]]
| family      = [[Mukherjee-Samarth family]]
}}
}}
Line 24: Line 25:


==Family==
==Family==
Mukherjee was born on 29 September 1909 in [[Jhansi]] into an educated, middle-class Bengali Hindu family, the second of four brothers. His father, who belonged to minor gentry, had received an English education and was in government service. The family, at that time, had nothing to do with the entertainment business or any other trade; however, not only Sasadhar but also two of his three brothers were to make a name for themselves in the film industry. Mukherjee's younger brothers were film director [[Subodh Mukherjee]] and film producer Prabodh Mukherjee. His elder brother was Ravindramohan Mukherjee, who had little contact with the film industry, but whose grand-daughter is the successful actress [[Rani Mukerji]].
Mukherjee was born on 29 September 1909 in [[Jhansi]] into an educated, [[Middle class|middle-class]] [[Bengali Hindus|Bengali Hindu]] family, the second of four brothers. His father, Haripada Mukherjee, who belonged to minor gentry, had received an English education and was in government service. The family, at that time, had nothing to do with the entertainment business or any other trade; however, not only Sashadhar but also two of his three brothers were to make a name for themselves in the film industry. Mukherjee's younger brothers were film director [[Subodh Mukherjee]] and film producer Prabodh Mukherjee. His elder brother was Ravindramohan Mukherjee, who had little contact with the film industry, but whose granddaughter is the actress [[Rani Mukerji]].


Mukherjee was married when he was a teenager to Sati Devi Mukherjee (nee Ganguli), a teenage girl of his own Bengali Hindu community and similar family background, in a match arranged by their parents in the usual Indian way. Sati Devi's father was also in government service, and that family was also settled in the Hindi-speaking provinces; resultantly, both families spoke Hindi with native-level fluency. This proved important because, mostly due to Mukherjee's influence, all three of Sati Devi's brothers were to become actors and big names in the Hindi film industry. Her brothers were the venerable actor [[Ashok Kumar]], [[Anoop Kumar]] and [[Kishore Kumar]], who was an actor, but more famously a playback singer. Sasadhar Mukherjee was instrumental in helping his own brothers and his wife's brothers to establish themselves in the film industry, and this is perhaps his most important and enduring contribution to Indian films.
Mukherjee was married when he was a teenager to Sati Devi Mukherjee, a teenager of his own Bengali Hindu community and similar family background, in a match arranged by their parents in the usual Indian way. Sati Devi's father was also in government service, and that family was also settled in the Hindi-speaking provinces; consequently, both families spoke Hindi with native-level fluency. This proved important because due to Mukherjee's influence, all three of Sati Devi's brothers were to become actors and big names in the Hindi film industry. Her brothers were the venerable actor [[Ashok Kumar]], [[Anoop Kumar]] and [[Kishore Kumar]], who was an actor, but more famously a playback singer. Sashadhar Mukherjee was instrumental in helping his own brothers and his wife's brothers to establish themselves in the film industry and this is his important and enduring contribution to Indian films.


Sasadhar and Sati Devi were blessed with six children, five sons and one daughter, namely Rono (nee) Mukherjee, [[Joy Mukherjee]], [[Deb Mukherjee]], [[Shomu Mukherjee]], Shibani Maulik and Shubir Mukherjee. All of their sons were active in the film industry, including the superstar [[Joy Mukherjee]], and some of their grand-children are likewise involved. Deb Mukherjee's son is film director [[Ayan Mukherjee]], who directed ''[[Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani]]'' (2013).<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite web | title = Ayan Mukherjee wants to remake grandpa's 'Love in Simla' | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-17/news-interviews/39334996_1_simla-satyajit-ray-sashadhar-mukherjee | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002416/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-17/news-interviews/39334996_1_simla-satyajit-ray-sashadhar-mukherjee | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 October 2013 | date =17 May 2013 | work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 16 June 2013 }}</ref> Shomu married the actress [[Tanuja]] (daughter of [[Shobhana Samarth]] and sister of [[Nutan]]) and became the father of two daughters, [[Kajol]] and [[Tanishaa Mukerji|Tanisha]], and these grand-daughters of Sasadhar have also become actresses.
Sashadhar and Sati Devi had six children, five sons and one daughter, namely Rono Mukherjee, [[Joy Mukherjee]], [[Deb Mukherjee]], [[Shomu Mukherjee]], Shibani Mukherjee and Shubir Mukherjee. All of their sons were active in the film industry, including the superstar Joy, and some of their grandchildren are likewise involved. Deb's son is film director [[Ayan Mukherjee]], who directed ''[[Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani]]'' (2013).<ref name="timesofindia">{{Cite web | title = Ayan Mukherjee wants to remake grandpa's 'Love in Simla' | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ayan-Mukherjee-wants-to-remake-grandpas-Love-in-Simla/articleshow/20101784.cms | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131005002416/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-17/news-interviews/39334996_1_simla-satyajit-ray-sashadhar-mukherjee | url-status = live | archive-date = 5 October 2013 | date =17 May 2013 | work = [[The Times of India]] | access-date = 16 June 2013 }}</ref> Shomu married the actress [[Tanuja]] (daughter of [[Shobhana Samarth]] and sister of [[Nutan]]) and became the father of two daughters, [[Kajol]] and [[Tanishaa Mukerji|Tanisha]]. Both these girls have also become actresses, Kajol becoming one of the most popular actresses in Hindi cinema.


==Career==
==Career==
He was a producer for [[Bombay Talkies]], and after the death of [[Himanshu Rai]] in 1940, was involved in a tussle for control of Bombay Talkies with [[Devika Rani]], actress and widow of Himanshu.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011215/windows/main1.htm The inimitable Dadamoni]. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. 15 December 2001.</ref><ref>Roshmila Bhattacharya. [http://www.screenindia.com/20020503/fspe.html Kismet: The crook and the cripple]. Screen magazine.</ref>
He was a producer for [[Bombay Talkies]], and after the death of [[Himanshu Rai]] in 1940, was involved in a tussle for control of Bombay Talkies with [[Devika Rani]], actress and widow of Himanshu.<ref>[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011215/windows/main1.htm The inimitable Dadamoni] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051207122758/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2001/20011215/windows/main1.htm |date=7 December 2005 }}. [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]. 15 December 2001.</ref><ref>Roshmila Bhattacharya. [http://www.screenindia.com/20020503/fspe.html Kismet: The crook and the cripple] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060326001923/http://www.screenindia.com/20020503/fspe.html |date=26 March 2006 }}. Screen magazine.</ref>


In 1943, Sashadhar Mukherjee formed a partnership with Rai Bahadur Chunilal, Ashok Kumar and [[Gyan Mukherjee]], and they started the studio [[Filmistan]] in [[Goregaon]].<ref name="Gulzar593">[[#Gu|Gulzar, p. 593]]</ref> The first film they planned at Filmistan was ''Chal Chal Re Naujawan'' with Naseem Bano and Ashok Kumar who had by then become a star. Sadat Hassan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Pt. Pradeep and so many other intelligent, talented, and creative people were associated with Filmistan. Filmistan gave breaks and made stars out of [[Shammi Kapoor]], [[Dev Anand]] and many more. Mukherjee made unforgettable and classic films there like ''Anarkali'', ''Nagin'', ''Tumsa Nahin Dekha'', ''Munim ji'', and ''Paying Guest''. He groomed [[Nasir Hussain]] as a Director.
In 1943, Sashadhar Mukherjee formed a partnership with Rai Bahadur Chunilal, Ashok Kumar and [[Gyan Mukherjee]], and they started the studio [[Filmistan]] in [[Goregaon]].<ref name="Gulzar593">[[#Gu|Gulzar, p. 593]]</ref> The first film they planned at Filmistan was ''Chal Chal Re Naujawan'' with Naseem Bano and Ashok Kumar who had by then become a star. Sadat Hassan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Pt. Pradeep and so many other intelligent, talented, and creative people were associated with Filmistan. Filmistan gave breaks and made stars out of [[Shammi Kapoor]], [[Dev Anand]] and many more. Mukherjee made unforgettable and classic films there like ''Anarkali'', ''Nagin'', ''Tumsa Nahin Dekha'', ''Munim ji'', and ''Paying Guest''. He groomed [[Nasir Hussain]] as a Director.


In the 1950s, Sashadhar formed his own production house called [[Filmalaya Studios]] in [[Andheri]], near Amboli. He also ran an acting school and was instrumental in giving actresses like [[Asha Parekh]] and [[Sadhana]] a break in films. Sanjeev Kumar was also a product of Filmalaya Acting school. [[Nasir Hussain]] was a director involved with his productions as were [[R. K. Nayyar]] and Gyan Mukherjee; music director [[O. P. Nayyar]] was also associated with his solo productions. He launched his son Joy with the film ''[[Love in Simla]]'' (1960); he also produced films like ''[[Ek Musafir Ek Hasina]]'' to further his son's career. When [[Dilip Kumar]] wanted to make a film on corrupt politicians he came to Mukherjee and made ''[[Leader (1964 film)|Leader]]''. Sambandh was his last production, though it was produced by his cousin [[Ram Mukherjee]].<ref>[[Sambandh (film)]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=May 2020}} Sashadhar Mukherjee died on 3 November 1990.
In the 1950s, Sashadhar formed his own production house called [[Filmalaya Studios]] in [[Andheri]], near Amboli. He also ran an acting school and was instrumental in giving actresses like [[Asha Parekh]] and [[Sadhana Shivdasani|Sadhana]] a break in films. Sanjeev Kumar was also a product of Filmalaya Acting school. [[Nasir Hussain]] was a director involved with his productions as were [[R. K. Nayyar]] and Gyan Mukherjee; music director [[O. P. Nayyar]] was also associated with his solo productions. He launched his son Joy with the film ''[[Love in Simla]]'' (1960); he also produced films like ''[[Ek Musafir Ek Hasina]]'' to further his son's career. When [[Dilip Kumar]] wanted to make a film on corrupt politicians he came to Mukherjee and made ''[[Leader (1964 film)|Leader]]''. Sambandh was his last production, though it was produced by his cousin [[Ram Mukherjee]].<ref>[[Sambandh (film)]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=May 2020}} Sashadhar Mukherjee died on 3 November 1990.
 
== Awards and honors ==
* [[File:Padma_Shri_Ribbon.svg|x15px|Padma Shri riband]] [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth highest civilian honor (1967)


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 81: Line 85:


==Dedication in Memory==
==Dedication in Memory==
As founder of Filmalaya Studio,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/pages/Filmalaya-Studio/515055895186717 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> the film ''[[Pathar Ke Insan]]'', was dedicated to the memory of Sashadhar Mukherjee.
As founder of Filmalaya Studio,<ref>https://www.facebook.com/pages/Filmalaya-Studio/515055895186717 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607072150/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Filmalaya-Studio/515055895186717 |date=7 June 2023 }} {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}}</ref> the 1990 film ''[[Pathar Ke Insan]]'', was dedicated to the memory of Sashadhar Mukherjee.<ref>[[Mukherjee-Samarth family]][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzA2PQP1zo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317205419/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzA2PQP1zo|date=17 March 2016}}</ref>
* ''[[Pathar Ke Insan]]'' (1990)<ref>[[Mukherjee-Samarth family]][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzA2PQP1zo]</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 101: Line 104:
[[Category:Hindi film producers]]
[[Category:Hindi film producers]]
[[Category:Bengali Hindus]]
[[Category:Bengali Hindus]]
[[Category:Bengali people]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:1909 births]]

Latest revision as of 00:08, 15 March 2026


Sashadhar Mukherjee
Mukherjee in November 1945
Born(1909-09-29)29 September 1909
Died3 November 1990(1990-11-03) (aged 81)
OccupationFilmmaker
Spouse(s)Sati Devi
Children6 (including Joy Mukherjee, Deb Mukherjee, and Shomu Mukherjee)
RelativesAshok Kumar
Anoop Kumar
Kishore Kumar (Brothers-in-law)
FamilyMukherjee-Samarth family

Sashadhar Mukherjee (29 September 1909 – 3 November 1990) was an Indian filmmaker in Hindi cinema. He started his career with Bombay Talkies in the 1930s, and later established Filmistan Studio with Rai Bahadur Chunilal (father of music director Madan Mohan), Ashok Kumar and Gyan Mukherjee in 1943. In the 1950s, he went on to start his independent studio, Filmalaya. He is noted for films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Love in Simla (1960), Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) and Leader (1964). He is part of the distinguished Mukherjee clan of Bollywood.

He won the Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1956 for Jagriti. In 1967, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour by the Government of India.[1]

Family[edit | edit source]

Mukherjee was born on 29 September 1909 in Jhansi into an educated, middle-class Bengali Hindu family, the second of four brothers. His father, Haripada Mukherjee, who belonged to minor gentry, had received an English education and was in government service. The family, at that time, had nothing to do with the entertainment business or any other trade; however, not only Sashadhar but also two of his three brothers were to make a name for themselves in the film industry. Mukherjee's younger brothers were film director Subodh Mukherjee and film producer Prabodh Mukherjee. His elder brother was Ravindramohan Mukherjee, who had little contact with the film industry, but whose granddaughter is the actress Rani Mukerji.

Mukherjee was married when he was a teenager to Sati Devi Mukherjee, a teenager of his own Bengali Hindu community and similar family background, in a match arranged by their parents in the usual Indian way. Sati Devi's father was also in government service, and that family was also settled in the Hindi-speaking provinces; consequently, both families spoke Hindi with native-level fluency. This proved important because due to Mukherjee's influence, all three of Sati Devi's brothers were to become actors and big names in the Hindi film industry. Her brothers were the venerable actor Ashok Kumar, Anoop Kumar and Kishore Kumar, who was an actor, but more famously a playback singer. Sashadhar Mukherjee was instrumental in helping his own brothers and his wife's brothers to establish themselves in the film industry and this is his important and enduring contribution to Indian films.

Sashadhar and Sati Devi had six children, five sons and one daughter, namely Rono Mukherjee, Joy Mukherjee, Deb Mukherjee, Shomu Mukherjee, Shibani Mukherjee and Shubir Mukherjee. All of their sons were active in the film industry, including the superstar Joy, and some of their grandchildren are likewise involved. Deb's son is film director Ayan Mukherjee, who directed Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013).[2] Shomu married the actress Tanuja (daughter of Shobhana Samarth and sister of Nutan) and became the father of two daughters, Kajol and Tanisha. Both these girls have also become actresses, Kajol becoming one of the most popular actresses in Hindi cinema.

Career[edit | edit source]

He was a producer for Bombay Talkies, and after the death of Himanshu Rai in 1940, was involved in a tussle for control of Bombay Talkies with Devika Rani, actress and widow of Himanshu.[3][4]

In 1943, Sashadhar Mukherjee formed a partnership with Rai Bahadur Chunilal, Ashok Kumar and Gyan Mukherjee, and they started the studio Filmistan in Goregaon.[5] The first film they planned at Filmistan was Chal Chal Re Naujawan with Naseem Bano and Ashok Kumar who had by then become a star. Sadat Hassan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Pt. Pradeep and so many other intelligent, talented, and creative people were associated with Filmistan. Filmistan gave breaks and made stars out of Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand and many more. Mukherjee made unforgettable and classic films there like Anarkali, Nagin, Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Munim ji, and Paying Guest. He groomed Nasir Hussain as a Director.

In the 1950s, Sashadhar formed his own production house called Filmalaya Studios in Andheri, near Amboli. He also ran an acting school and was instrumental in giving actresses like Asha Parekh and Sadhana a break in films. Sanjeev Kumar was also a product of Filmalaya Acting school. Nasir Hussain was a director involved with his productions as were R. K. Nayyar and Gyan Mukherjee; music director O. P. Nayyar was also associated with his solo productions. He launched his son Joy with the film Love in Simla (1960); he also produced films like Ek Musafir Ek Hasina to further his son's career. When Dilip Kumar wanted to make a film on corrupt politicians he came to Mukherjee and made Leader. Sambandh was his last production, though it was produced by his cousin Ram Mukherjee.[6][circular reference] Sashadhar Mukherjee died on 3 November 1990.

Awards and honors[edit | edit source]

  • Padma Shri riband Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor (1967)

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Year Title Director Notes
1939 Kangan
1940 Bandhan N.R. Acharya Banner: Bombay Talkies
1941 Jhoola Gyan Mukherjee
1954 Jagriti Satyen Bose Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1956
1955 Munimji Subodh Mukherjee Filmistan
1957 Tumsa Nahin Dekha Nasir Hussain Filmistan
Paying Guest Subodh Mukherjee Filmistan
1959 Dil Deke Dekho Nasir Hussain Filmalaya
1960 Love in Simla R. K. Nayyar Filmalaya
1962 Ek Musafir Ek Hasina Raj Khosla
1964 Leader Ram Mukherjee
Aao Pyar Karen R. K. Nayyar
1965 Tu Hi Meri Zindagi Rono Mukherjee

Dedication in Memory[edit | edit source]

As founder of Filmalaya Studio,[7] the 1990 film Pathar Ke Insan, was dedicated to the memory of Sashadhar Mukherjee.[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2009)" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 May 2013.
  2. "Ayan Mukherjee wants to remake grandpa's 'Love in Simla'". The Times of India. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  3. The inimitable Dadamoni Archived 7 December 2005 at the Wayback Machine. The Tribune. 15 December 2001.
  4. Roshmila Bhattacharya. Kismet: The crook and the cripple Archived 26 March 2006 at the Wayback Machine. Screen magazine.
  5. Gulzar, p. 593
  6. Sambandh (film)
  7. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Filmalaya-Studio/515055895186717 Archived 7 June 2023 at the Wayback Machine Template:User-generated source
  8. Mukherjee-Samarth family[1] Archived 17 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]