Deb Mukherjee: The Man Who Unites Bollywood for Durga Pooja in Mumbai

Synopsis

On March 14, 2023, Bollywood lost veteran actor <b>Deb Mukherjee</b>, father of director <b>Ayan Mukherji</b>. Known for his contributions to cinema and for unifying the community for the North Mumbai Durga Pooja celebrations, Deb leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and cherished family ties.

Key Takeaways

Deb Mukherjee was an influential figure in Bollywood.
He was known for bringing the community together for Durga Pooja.
His family includes notable Bollywood stars.
Deb appeared in several classic films.
His legacy continues through his son, Ayan Mukherji.

Mumbai, March 14 (NationPress) Director Ayan Mukerji’s father, Deb Mukherjee, passed away on Friday morning due to age-related health issues. Deb, a member of the Samarth-Mukherjee family, had a notable career in some of the most iconic films. He was renowned for uniting everyone for the North Mumbai Durga Pooja festivities in the city.

Born in Kanpur in 1941, Deb's mother, Satidevi, was the sole sister of celebrated actors Ashok Kumar, Anup Kumar, and Kishore Kumar. His siblings include actor Joy Mukherjee and filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, who was married to Bollywood star Tanuja.

Deb’s nieces are Bollywood actresses Kajol and Rani Mukerji. He had two marriages; his daughter Sunita from the first marriage is wed to director Ashutosh Gowariker, and his son, Ayan, is from his second marriage.

The veteran actor appeared in films such as ‘Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki’, ‘Baaton Baaton Mein’, ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander’, and ‘Kaminey’ among others.

Deb started his career in the 1960s with minor roles in movies like ‘Tu Hi Meri Zindagi’ and ‘Abhinetri’. He later transitioned to supporting roles in films like ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander’ and ‘King Uncle’. His final appearance was a cameo in Vishal Bhardwaj's ‘Kaminey’ in 2009. In ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander’, he played the role of a sports coach at Rajput College.

This film has been remade in Telugu as ‘Thammudu’ in 1999 and has since gained a cult following.

In light of Deb Mukherjee’s passing, Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, close friends of Ayan Mukerji, returned to Mumbai to offer their support during this challenging time.