The legendary filmmaker was known for the classics that we have today
Born on September 30, 1922, Hrishikesh Mukherjee was popularly called as Hrishida. Even today, the director is remembered for his unique films. In a career spanning over four decades, Hrishida directed 42 films. When the late filmmaker started work, he initially began working as a cameraman and then went on and became a film editor. He had the privilege to work under Bimal Roy when he came to Mumbai in 1951.He worked with Roy as a film editor and assistant director. Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a part of Roy’s classic Do Bigha Zamin and Devdas.
The late filmmaker is often referred as the pioneer of the ‘middle cinema’ of India.Hrishida’s films reflected the ever changing middle class philosophies. With his style of cinema, Mukherjee created a path between the extravagance of mainstream cinema and the realities of art cinema. His notable films include Anuradha, Asli-Naqli, Anand, Chemmeen, Anupama , Aashirwad, Satyakam, Guddi, Bawarchi, Namak Haraam, Mili, Chupke Chupke, Khubsoorat and Bemisal. The filmmaker introduced Jaya Bhaduri aka Jaya Bachchan to Hindi films through his Guddi. He also introduce Dharmendra to comedy through Chupke Chupke, and gave Amitabh Bachchan his big break with Anand in 1970, along with Rajesh Khanna.
The filmmaker won several National awards and Filmfare awards for his films. Apart from these, he was also conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India. The legendary filmmaker passed away on August 26, 2006 after he complained of uneasiness.