Rani Mukherji's father passes away, West Bengal Chief Minister mourns

He was 84.

"Ram Mukerji, respected film-maker, beloved father and husband, is no more. He passed away on October 22 at 6 am due to natural causes. Close friends and family attended his quiet funeral at 2pm this afternoon. Ram Mukerji was one of the key associates of S Mukerji and one of the founder members of Filmalaya studios and is  known for directing films like Hum Hindustani and Leader starring the legend Dilip Kumar. He will be sorely missed by his wife Krishna Mukerji, daughter Rani Mukerji, son Raja Mukerji and the rest of the family,"said Rani Mukerji's spokesperson.

Ram Mukherjee was an Indian film director, producer and screenwriter in Hindi and Bengali cinema, he is one of the founders of Filmalaya Studios, Mumbai.

He is most known for his films, Hum Hindustani (1960) and Leader (1964), starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala.

He belongs to the Mukherjee-Samarth family, as his father Ravindramohan Mukherjee was elder brother of Sashadhar Mukherjee, and one of founders of Filmalaya Studios.

He previously, directed and produced his daughter Rani Mukherjee's film debut, Biyer Phool in 1996.

Mourning his death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Saddened at the passing of veteran filmmaker Ram Mukherjee. My condolences to his family."

Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee tweeted, "Really sad to hear Ram Mukherjee passed away..I had an opportunity to work wd him #Raktonodirdhara #Roktolekha #Biyerphool..#RIP Ramda."

Prosenjit had worked with Rani in her Bengali debut movie Biyer Phool.

image: Santabanta.com