Remembering Hrishikesh Mukherjee, The Maestro Behind Anand And Chupke Chupke, On His 102nd Birth Anniversary

With many successful films, such as Anand, Anuradha, Aashirwad, etc., director Hrishikesh Mukherjee had an everlasting impression on the audience’s hearts. September 30, 2024, marks his 102nd birth anniversary. In his illustrious career spanning many decades, he worked with many reputed actors, e.g., Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, etc. Big B, as Amitabh Bachchan is known, respected Hrishikesh Da immensely and referred to him as his godfather, crediting him for building his career. Big B and Dharmendra were also scared of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. In an old interview with the Press Trust of India in 2016, veteran actor Asrani recounted an incident on the sets of Chupke Chupke.

Asrani had said, “In those days, there would be budgetary restrictions and we used to get clothes from old films. I generally did not get to wear suits in films and now that I was wearing one, Dharmendra got scared and asked, ‘What is going on? What is the scene? How did you get a suit and I get a driver’s dress? Suit toh apne baap ko bhi nahi dega Hrishikesh Mukherjee (Hrishikesh Mukherjee wouldn’t give a suit even to his father)’. He shouted at Dharmendra, ‘Aye Dharam! What are you asking Asrani?’ The scene, right? Arey, if you had any sense for the story, would you have been a hero then?"

Chupke Chupke (1975) is a comedy film and a remake of the Bengali film Chhadmabeshi. Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, it features Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Usha Kiran, David Abraham Cheulkar, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee. This film was successful amongst the viewers and is remembered today as well for its chartbusters.

This song from Chupke Chupke is titled Baagon Mein Kaise Yeh Phool. Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar have sung this track written by Anand Bakshi and composed by SD Burman.

The song Chupke Chupke Chal Re Purvaiya was also a stellar success amongst the viewers. Lata Mangeshkar has sung this track penned by Anand Bakshi and composed by SD Burman.

Known for making slice-of-life, romantic films, Hrishikesh Mukherjee died on August 27, 2006 at 83. He last directed the film Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate which was a hit with the viewers.