By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

बहुत शुक्रिया बड़ी मेहरबानी
मेरी ज़िन्दगी में हुजूर आप आये
कदम चूम लूँ या
के आँखे बिछा दूँ
करूँ क्या यह मेरी
समझ में न आये
बहुत शुक्रिया

Sashadhar Mukherjee who began his career with Bombay Talikes and later co-owned Filmistan Sudios, Goregaon, is credited with helping many new talents rise to stardom like Sadhna, Asha Parekh and many others. He also helped Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, director Nasir Hussain and R. K. Nayyar to further their career in films. In 1950s he independently established Filmalaya Studios in Andheri. The notable feature of his film has been that most of them were musical hits like Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Dil Deke Dekha (1959), Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (62), Leader and Aao Pyaar Karen ( both 1964).

His “Jagriti” (1956), directed by Styen Bose won Filmfare Award for Best Film. His earlier films included Bandhan and Jhoola produced in early 1940s.His brother Subodh Mukherjee himself was a well known director. Joy, Debu and Shomu Mukherjee were his sons, the last being married to actress Tanuja.

Born 29 September at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.