Kajol remembers father Shomu Mukherjee on birth anniversary: 'Still don't know how to do this without you'
Synopsis
Years after losing her father, Kajol's six-word Instagram note — 'I still don't know how to do this without you' — cut through the noise of celebrity social media with rare emotional honesty. The tribute to filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, who died in 2008 at 64, is a reminder that behind one of Bollywood's most confident screen presences is a daughter who still misses the man who called her his 'tigress.'
Key Takeaways
Kajol posted a heartfelt tribute to her late father Shomu Mukherjee on his birth anniversary on 19 June .
Her Instagram note read: 'Dear dad, I still don't know how to do this without you.' Shomu Mukherjee was a director, writer, and producer known for films including 'Chhailla Babu' and 'Fiffty Fiffty' .
He passed away on 10 April 2008 after a heart attack, aged 64 .
Kajol has previously recalled how her father called her his 'tigress' and instilled her signature confidence.
Bollywood actress Kajol paid a moving tribute to her late father, filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee, on his birth anniversary on Friday, 19 June, sharing a heartfelt note on social media that laid bare how deeply she continues to feel his absence years after his passing.
The Post That Struck a Chord
In a brief but emotionally resonant message on her official Instagram handle, Kajol wrote: 'Dear dad, I still don't know how to do this without you.' The accompanying caption read: 'Miss u every day.. #daddysgirlforever.' The simplicity of the words only amplified their weight, drawing an outpouring of responses from fans and fellow industry members.
Who Was Shomu Mukherjee
Shomu Mukherjee was a respected director, writer, and producer in Hindi cinema, with credits spanning films such as 'Ek Bar Mooskura Do', 'Nanha Shikari', 'Chhailla Babu', 'Fiffty Fiffty', 'Lover Boy', 'Pathar Ke Insan', and 'Sangdil Sanam'. It was on the sets of 'Ek Baar Muskura Do' that he met actress Tanuja, and the two eventually married in 1973. Together they have two daughters — actresses Kajol and Tanisha. Shomu Mukherjee passed away on 10 April 2008 following a heart attack. He was 64 years old.
A Daughter's Enduring Bond
Kajol has consistently kept her father's memory alive through social media. On Father's Day last year, the actress — celebrated for her roles in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...' — shared a nostalgic reflection revealing how Shomu Mukherjee shaped her identity. She wrote: 'Confidence is the one thing people say I have in abundance.. here's to the man who gave it to me and taught it to me.. he used to call me his tigress and always told me to be as loud and proud as I wanted without a filter! It's his birthday this week as well and somehow it seems appropriate that Father's Day comes so close to his birthday. #loveyouda #missyoueveryday #happyfathersday.'
Why These Tributes Resonate
Kajol's recurring public remembrances are notable in an industry where personal grief is rarely aired with such candour. Notably, Father's Day and Shomu Mukherjee's birthday fall within days of each other, a convergence the actress has acknowledged as 'somehow appropriate.' Her posts consistently underscore the role parental influence plays in shaping a performer's confidence and public persona — a theme that resonates with millions of fans who see in her words a reflection of their own familial bonds. Kajol continues to be one of Hindi cinema's most enduring stars, and her willingness to speak openly about loss adds a layer of authenticity to her public presence.
Point of View
The six-word sentence about not knowing how to cope — details that resist the generic vocabulary of celebrity grief. In an industry that often performs emotion, Kajol's consistency over the years since 2008 signals something more private made public. It also quietly reinforces the often-overlooked contribution of behind-the-camera figures like Shomu Mukherjee to Hindi cinema's mid-era output.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kajol post a tribute on 19 June?
19 June marks the birth anniversary of Kajol's late father, filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee. She shared a heartfelt Instagram note to honour his memory on the occasion.
Who was Shomu Mukherjee?
Shomu Mukherjee was a Hindi film director, writer, and producer known for movies such as 'Chhailla Babu', 'Fiffty Fiffty', and 'Sangdil Sanam'. He was also the husband of actress Tanuja and father of actresses Kajol and Tanisha.
When did Shomu Mukherjee pass away?
Shomu Mukherjee passed away on 10 April 2008 following a heart attack. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.
What did Kajol write in her tribute post?
Kajol wrote on Instagram: 'Dear dad, I still don't know how to do this without you,' with the caption 'Miss u every day.. #daddysgirlforever.' She has shared similar heartfelt tributes on Father's Day as well.
What has Kajol previously said about her father's influence on her?
On Father's Day last year, Kajol revealed that Shomu Mukherjee called her his 'tigress' and encouraged her to be bold and unapologetic. She credited him as the source of the confidence she is widely recognised for.
