Introduction
Ayan Mukerji (or Mukherjee) (born 15 August 1983) is an Indian film director, from the cinema prominent Mukherjee-Samarth family. Mukherjee made his directorial debut at the age of 26 with the coming-of-age comedy Wake Up Sid, a 2009 film, produced by Karan Johar. The film opened to strong reviews and box office returns. His next release, the 2013 romantic comedy Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, ranks among one of the Highest-grossing Hindi films of all time.
Early life and background
Mukerji was born in a Bengali Brahmin family in Kolkata, West Bengal. He is the son of Bengali film actor Deb Mukherjee. His grandfather Sashadhar Mukherjee, was a film producer, who established Filmalaya Studios in Mumbai, and produced films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Love in Simla (1960), Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) and Leader (1964). The studio is still run by his extended family. He is also the nephew of Joy Mukherjee, first cousin of Kajol and Tanisha Mukherjee and second cousin of Rani Mukerji and part of the larger Mukherjee-Samarth family.
Mukerji studied at Jamnabai Narsee School. He later attended Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology but dropped out after the first year to become an assistant director on Swades.
Career
Mukherji started his career as an assistant to Ashutosh Gowariker, his brother-in-law, on the 2004 film, Swades, and later to Johar on Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. After taking a short break from filmmaking, Mukerji wrote the screenplay for Wake Up Sid and gave it to Johar who decided it should become a film. The film starred Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor in lead roles and went on to become a commercial and critical success.
Mukerji's next film, also under Karan Johar's banner Dharma Productions, was Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, with Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor in lead roles. It was a huge commercial success. The movie grossed Rs. 1 billion at the box office in just 7 days. It became the fourth highest grossing Indian movie of all time.
As of October 2013, Mukerji's next project is a superhero film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.
Although Mukerji belongs to a Bengali family, he said he will never make a Bengali film because it would not reach many people.
Controversies and allegations
An Oshiwara-based executive producer, Ragini Nagar, has alleged that Mukherji approached her via Facebook and demanded sexual favors in exchange for participation in an upcoming film. Mukherji has since denied the allegation claiming that the Facebook account in question was not his. A case has been filed with the Oshiwara police.
Filmography
Director
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Wake Up Sid | Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director |
| 2013 | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director |
| 2017 | Dragon | Filming |
Writer
- Wake Up Sid (2009)
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
- Dragon (2017)
Actor
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (cameo appearance)
- Luck by Chance (2009) – Special Thanks credit
- Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (cameo appearance)
- Home Delivery (2005) (cameo appearance)
- Besharam – Special Thanks credit
- Gippi – Special Thanks credit
Awards
2010: Filmfare Awards
- Won: (co-winner with Zoya Akhtar) Best Debut Director – Wake Up Sid