Sashadhar Mukherjee

Sashadhar Mukherjee (died 3 November 1990) was a producer in Hindi films. He started his career with Bombay Talkies in 1930s, and later established Filmistan Studio with Rai Bahadur Chunilal, 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 for Jagriti (1954), and later was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, by Government of India in 1967.[1]

Family

He was born on September 29, 1909 in Jhansi. Sashadhar is Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar's brother-in-law, being married to their only sister, Sati Rani. He was also instrumental in getting Ashok Kumar into films. His children are Rono Mukherjee, Joy Mukherjee, Deb Mukherjee, Shomu Mukherjee, Shibani Maulik/nee Mukherjee, and Subir Mukherjee. Shomu married actress Tanuja and together they had two children: Kajol and Tanisha. Sashadhar's grand niece is actress Rani Mukerji, whose grandfather Ravidramohan Mukherjee was Sashadhar's older brother. Sashadhar had two more brothers, film director Subodh Mukherjee and film producer Prabodh Mukherjee. His grandson, son of Deb Mukherjee, is film director Ayan Mukherjee, who directed Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani (2013).[2]

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.[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 Nassem Bano who had gone to Pakistan 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 so many more. Mukerji made unforgettable and classic films there like Anarkali, Nagin, Tum Sa Nahein Dekha, Munim ji, Paying Guest and so many more. He groomed Nasir Hussain there as Director.

In the 1950s Sashadhar formed his own production house called Filmalaya 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 Filmistan 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 Mukerji and made Leader. Sambandh was his last production. Mukerji died on 3 November 1990.

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ "Padma Awards Directory (1954–2009)". Ministry of Home Affairs.
  2. ↑ "Ayan Mukherjee wants to remake grandpa's 'Love in Simla'". The Times Of India. May 17, 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  3. ↑ The inimitable Dadamoni. The Tribune. 15 December 2001.
  4. ↑ Roshmila Bhattacharya. Kismet: The crook and the cripple. Screen magazine.
  5. ↑ Gulzar, p. 593

Bibliography

External links