Hrishikesh Mukherjee (b. 1922)
Hindi director and editor born in Calcutta. Studied science at Calcutta University; then a teacher and a freelance artist at AIR. Joined New Theatres (1945) as laboratory assistant, then editor. First full editing assignment: Tathapi (1950). Worked as assistant director and editor for Bimal Roy; later also edited films by R. Kariat and R. Tarafdar. Renowned for introducing editing conventions basic to Hindi film: e.g. insertion of close-up as bridge between incompatible shots. Acquired reputation of being able to salvage films that went out of control during shooting (e.g. Kariat’s Chemmeen, 1965). First film as director in collaboration with Ritwik Ghatak and Salil Choudhury (Musafir). 60s films continue in the vein of Bimal Roy’s socials. Introduced ‘cancer films’ with Anand, a very popular type of melodrama with terminally ill characters, which featured the reigning 70s superstars Rajesh Khanna and Bachchan. Repeated the duo in Namak Haram. Later films often produced by N.C. Sippy are lowbudget family melodramas. Chairman of Central Board of Film Cenrtification and of the NFDC. FILMOGRAPHY: 1957: Musafir; 1959: Anari; 1960: Anuradha; 1961: Chhaya; Memdidi; 1962: Aashiq; Asli Naqli; 1964: Sanjh Aur Savera; 1965: Do Dil; 1966: Anupama; Biwi Aur Makaan; Gaban; 1967: Manjhli Didi; 1968: Ashirwad; 1969: Pyar Ka Sapna; Satyakam; 1970: Anand; 1971: Buddha Mil Gaya; Guddi; 1972: Bawarchi; Subse Bada Sukh; 1973: Abhimaan; Namak Haram; 1974: Phir Kab Milogi; 1975: Chaitali; Chupke Chupke; Mili; 1976: Arjun Pandit; 1977: Alaap; Kotwal Saab; 1978: Naukri; 1979: Jurmana; Golmaal; 1980: Khubsoorat; 1981: Naram Garam; 1982: Bemisal; 1983: Namumkin; Achha Bura; Kisise Na Kehna; Rang Birangi; 1986: Jhoothi; Hum Hindustani (TV); 1988: Lathi; 1992: Talash (TV).