Kajol mourns Krishna Mukerji, Rani's mother: 'One more star gone'
Synopsis
Kajol's heartfelt 'One more star gone to make a more beautiful sky' tribute captured what Krishna Mukerji meant to Bollywood's Mukerji family — a former playback singer, Rani's most candid critic, and the matriarch of a dynasty that shaped Hindi cinema across generations. She was 75.
Key Takeaways
Krishna Mukerji , former playback singer and mother of actress Rani Mukerji , passed away on 22 September 2026 at age 75 .
Her last rites were held at Pawan Hans Crematorium , Juhu, Mumbai ; Rani Mukerji was present.
Actress Kajol shared an emotional tribute on social media, calling her 'one more star gone to make a more beautiful sky.' Kajol and Rani are cousins — their fathers, Shomu Mukerji and Ram Mukerji , were first cousins.
The family issued a statement requesting privacy during the period of mourning.
Actress Kajol paid an emotional tribute to her aunt Krishna Mukerji — mother of actress Rani Mukerji and wife of the late filmmaker Ram Mukerji — who passed away on 22 September 2026 at the age of 75. Kajol shared a photograph of Krishna Mukerji from a Durga Puja celebration on her social media account, writing, 'One more star gone to make a more beautiful sky..'
Who Was Krishna Mukerji
Krishna Mukerji was a former playback singer who shared her life with the late filmmaker Ram Mukerji. Her daughter Rani Mukerji has spoken openly over the years about Krishna's profound influence on her life and acting career, describing her mother as her most candid critic — someone who offered unfiltered, sometimes stern, feedback on her performances. Krishna was widely regarded as a guiding presence behind one of Bollywood's most prominent families.
Last Rites and Family Presence
The family confirmed Krishna Mukerji's passing in an official statement and requested privacy during the period of mourning. Her last rites were conducted at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai on Tuesday. Rani Mukerji was present for the final rites alongside other family members and close friends.
Kajol and Rani: A Family Bond
The two actresses share a familial bond that extends well beyond their Bollywood careers. Kajol and Rani are cousins — Ram Mukerji, Rani's father, was a first cousin of Shomu Mukerji, Kajol's father. This makes Krishna Mukerji Kajol's aunt. In a memorable moment from the chat show Koffee With Karan, Kajol had affectionately made a lighthearted reference to Krishna, reflecting the warmth and candour that defined their extended family relationship.
Bollywood Reacts
Kajol's post drew widespread attention from fans and the film fraternity. This comes amid a period of loss for Bollywood, with the industry having bid farewell to several veteran figures connected to its golden era in recent times. Krishna Mukerji, as a former playback singer and the matriarch of a distinguished filmmaking family, leaves behind a legacy that spans music, cinema, and a generation of talent she helped shape.
With Rani Mukerji among Bollywood's most enduring stars, tributes from across the industry are expected to continue in the coming days.
Point of View
But the mainstream narrative undersells what she actually represented — a first-generation Bollywood matriarch who shaped Rani Mukerji's instincts as a performer and held together a family legacy spanning filmmaking and music. The Mukerji family tree is one of Hindi cinema's oldest institutional pillars, and each passing from that generation quietly closes a chapter that newer Bollywood has no equivalent for. Kajol's tribute, brief as it was, carried the weight of that unspoken history.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Krishna Mukerji?
Krishna Mukerji was a former playback singer and the wife of the late filmmaker Ram Mukerji. She was the mother of actress Rani Mukerji and passed away on 22 September 2026 at the age of 75.
How is Kajol related to Krishna Mukerji?
Kajol is Krishna Mukerji's niece by family relation. Rani Mukerji's father, Ram Mukerji, was a first cousin of Kajol's father, filmmaker Shomu Mukerji, making Krishna Mukerji Kajol's aunt.
Where were Krishna Mukerji's last rites held?
Her last rites were conducted at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai on Tuesday, 23 September 2026. Rani Mukerji was present along with family members and close friends.
What did Kajol post about Krishna Mukerji's death?
Kajol shared a photograph of Krishna Mukerji from a Durga Puja celebration on her social media account, writing: 'One more star gone to make a more beautiful sky..' The post drew widespread response from fans and the film industry.
What was Krishna Mukerji's relationship with Rani Mukerji's career?
Rani Mukerji has spoken publicly about her mother being her biggest critic, offering candid and sometimes stern feedback on her work. Krishna was widely seen as a formative influence on Rani's approach to acting.
