Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Doyen of Indian Cinema, who stole the hearts of many film goers with his light hearted, refreshing and engaging movies died in Mumbai of renal failure. He was 83. Mukherjee is survived by three daughters and a son

Best known for the magic he created in making films that were family oriented, he was extremely focused and devoted to his craft. He had the warmth and ability to nurture and love those around him and was instrumental in making many of the superstars what they are today.

Having done his apprenticeship under the legendary Bimal Roy, Mukherjee started his film career with Musafir in 1957, and his last work was Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate, starring Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla, released in 1998.

Viewers will recall some of his best whether it was Anand or Mili or Chupke Chupke, or Bemisal or Namak Haram, or Jurmana." Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films have won several National and Filmfare Awards over the years. His films Anuradha (1960), Anupama (1966), Ashirwad (1968) and the unforgettable Anand (1970) have won National Awards. His film Anari (1959) has won Filmfare awards in four categories. In fact, both Raj Kapoor and L. B. Lachman, the producer, were impressed by Hrishida's Musafir (1957) and encouraged him to take up the direction of this film. Other films of Hrishida that have won awards are Ashirwad, Namak Haram, Abhimaan, Golmaal and Khubsoorat.-

Hrishida was the pioneer of the parallel cinema – says Gulzar, filmmaker who worked with him in films like Chupke Chupke, Gol Maal and Khubsoorat

Besides this he also wrote notable films stories and screenplays for Do Bigha Zamin, Guddi and Bawarchi. He also edited films like Madhumati, Ganga Jamuna and Chemmeen (Malayalam).

His granddaughter, Priyanka shared her memories of her grandfather who she called Putibaba in the Mumbai publication, Midday and called him a caring, funny, witty, over-protective, deep, intelligent, and thoughtful and the coolest grandfather all at the same time”.

The world of cinema will miss him. He was one of a kind who made extraordinary films and offered a fresh window of clean and entertaining cinema to the audience.

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