August 27 marks the 13th Death anniversary of one of most prolific directors of Indian cinema, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, more popularly known as Hrishi-Da. He was born on September 30, 1992 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) to a Bengali family, growing up he studied science and graduated in chemistry. After teaching mathematics and science for some time he moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) to work as an assistant director and editor under the film-maker Bimal Roy in 1951.
Before coming to Mumbai, he had already worked as a camera man and film editor in B. N. Sircar’s New Theatres company in the late 1940s. But only started working as director in Mumbai. His debut film as director, Musafir, was not a commercial hit but he soon gained prominence with his second film, Anari, grabbing a total of five Filmfare Awards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vgDb4TQneA
With this, a trail of commercial hits and critically acclaimed films emerged: Anuradha (1960), Chhaya (1961), Asli-Naqli (1962), Anupama (1966), Aashirwad (1968), Satyakam (1969), Guddi (1971), Anand (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haraam (1973), Mili (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Alaap (1977), Gol Maal (1979), Khubsoorat (1980) and Bemisal (1982).
He’s credited with establishing many actors and actresses career as well with having given Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Badhuri their first big break in his movies Anand and Guddi respectively.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5JiZdaLZ8M
A closer look at his films reveal beautifully woven tales of human relationships and emotions. From signifying the tale of cancer patient and importance of friendship in his classic Anand to the selfless bond of love in the movie Mili. He defined the Indian Cinema with his depth of understanding of human emotions and bringing them onto the big screen flawlessly.
