Actor by accident,original hero of musicals

The veteran actor took to acting almost by accident. His father,well-known producer Sashadhar Mukherjee,was looking for a hero for his venture Love In Simla. It was the scriptwriter of the film,Aghajani Kashmiri,who thought that Mukherjee would be perfect for the role. His successful debut was followed by a hattrick of musical hits — Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon,Ziddi and Love In Tokyo.

Unlike the Joy Mukherjee-Asha Parekh successful pair,Joy’s films with Saira Banu were not big hits at the box-office. Of the five films they did together — Shagird,Door Ki Awaaz,Aao Pyar Karen,Saaz Aur Awaaz and Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hain — only the thriller,Shagird did well at the box-office.

Mukherjee with his soft looks and lanky appearance was quick to capture the hearts of his female audience. “He was also one of the most hard-working and disciplined actors of our time,” said actress Mala Sinha who worked with him in Humsaaya and Bahu Beti.

“As a director too he alloted us dates to rehearse so that we could perfect our job,” says Sinha. Mukherjee ruled the roost in Bollywood till the Rajesh Khanna craze hit the nation,and put an end to Mukherjee’s era as the romantic hero.

It was then that Joy turned producer and director with his 1968 film Humsaaya. The film was a moderate success. Meanwhile,Joy also acted in films such as Ehsaan,Puraskar,Aag aur Daag,Anjana,Kahin Aar Kahin Paar,but his charm had faded by then. His 1972 film Ek Baar Muskura Do did revive his career a bit,but it was apparently too little,too late.

Bappi Lahiri,a close family friend of the Mukherjis,said his enthusiasm towards Bollywood stayed intact even during the latter stage of his life.

“I grew up watching Joyda’s films. He was the original hero of musicals. Whenever we would meet,we would discuss music and it would be like a mehfil,” he added.