Rani Mukerji's mother Krishna Mukerji passes away at 75
Synopsis
Krishna Mukerji, mother of Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji and wife of the late filmmaker Ram Mukherjee, passed away at 75 on Tuesday afternoon. Yash Raj Films confirmed the loss, with the family requesting privacy. Krishna had her own identity as a playback singer in Bengali cinema, and was regarded as a cornerstone of one of Hindi film's most enduring family legacies.
Key Takeaways
Krishna Mukerji , mother of actress Rani Mukerji , passed away at the age of 75 on 22 September 2026 .
Yash Raj Films confirmed the news through an official statement; the family has requested privacy.
Krishna was a playback singer associated with Bengali cinema and wife of the late filmmaker Ram Mukherjee , co-founder of Filmalaya Studios .
Ram Mukherjee had passed away in 2017 ; the couple's children are Rani Mukerji and Raja Mukherjee .
Rani had recently received the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards .
Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji's mother, Krishna Mukerji, passed away at the age of 75 on Tuesday afternoon, 22 September 2026, in Mumbai. Yash Raj Films (YRF) confirmed the news through an official statement, with the family requesting privacy during their period of mourning.
Official Statement from Yash Raj Films
The statement from YRF read: 'With heavy hearts, we share that Rani Mukerji's mother Mrs Krishna Mukerji, 75, passed away this afternoon. The family is deeply grateful for your love, prayers, and support and respectfully requests privacy during this time of immense grief.'
No further details regarding the cause of death or funeral arrangements have been disclosed by the family.
Who Was Krishna Mukerji
Krishna Mukerji was a figure deeply rooted in Indian cinema. She was associated with Bengali cinema and worked as a playback singer during her career, carving out her own artistic identity independent of her family's film legacy. She was widely known as a constant presence in Rani Mukerji's life, accompanying the actress on public occasions over the years. The mother-daughter bond was one Rani had spoken about openly and warmly on multiple platforms.
Krishna was married to the late filmmaker Ram Mukherjee, who passed away in 2017 and was one of the co-founders of Filmalaya Studios. The couple had two children — actress Rani Mukerji and filmmaker-producer Raja Mukherjee.
Rani Mukerji's Career and Recent Honours
Rani Mukerji remains one of Hindi cinema's most decorated actresses, with landmark films including 'Ghulam', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', 'Saathiya', 'Hum Tum', and 'Black' to her name. Her most recent release, 'Mardaani 3', arrived in theatres in 2026.
Shortly before her mother's passing, Rani was recognised with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony. The honour was presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar.
Accepting the award, Rani spoke about her deep connection with Maharashtra, saying in Marathi: 'Majhyasathi Maharashtra fakt ek rajya nahi. Maharashtra majhi janmabhoomi aahe. Majhi karmabhoomi aahe. Ani majhya ayushyacha ek avibhajya bhaag aahe' — meaning, 'For me, Maharashtra is not just a state. Maharashtra is my birthplace. It is the land where I built my career. And it is an inseparable part of my life.'
An Industry in Mourning
The loss of Krishna Mukerji is a deeply personal one for a family that has shaped Indian cinema across generations — from Filmalaya Studios to the contemporary screen. Her passing comes as condolences pour in from the film fraternity. The family has appealed for privacy as they grieve, and no public ceremonies have been announced as yet.
Point of View
In fact, the end of a matriarchal thread running through three generations of filmmaking. The family's request for privacy deserves to be honoured as such — not as a curtain-raiser for speculation, but as a quiet full stop.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Krishna Mukerji?
Krishna Mukerji, 75, was the mother of Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji and the wife of the late filmmaker Ram Mukherjee, co-founder of Filmalaya Studios. She had her own career in Indian cinema as a playback singer associated with Bengali films.
When did Krishna Mukerji pass away?
Krishna Mukerji passed away on Tuesday afternoon, 22 September 2026, in Mumbai. Yash Raj Films confirmed the news through an official statement the same day.
What did Yash Raj Films say about her passing?
Yash Raj Films released a statement saying: 'With heavy hearts, we share that Rani Mukerji's mother Mrs Krishna Mukerji, 75, passed away this afternoon.' The statement added that the family requests privacy during this time of immense grief.
Who are Krishna Mukerji's surviving children?
Krishna Mukerji is survived by her two children — Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji and filmmaker-producer Raja Mukherjee. Her husband, filmmaker Ram Mukherjee, had passed away in 2017.
What was Rani Mukerji's most recent film and recent award?
Rani Mukerji's most recent release was 'Mardaani 3', which arrived in theatres in 2026. She was also recently honoured with the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award at the 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards, presented by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
