Birthday Greetings to Indrani Mukherjee, a heroine full of grace!

Birthday Greetings to Indrani Mukherjee, a heroine full of grace!

Yesteryear actors had a grace and style that is rare to find in films today. Indrani Mukherjee, a lead heroine of the 1960s and 1970s, exemplifies this. From her debut in Usne Kaha Tha to acting in hits such as Aakhri Khat, Indrani Mukherjee was known for her intense performances in the 1960s and 1970s.

Born and brought up in Allahabad, Indrani Mukherjee entered the industry at the age of 15. Indrani made her first appearance in films with the Moni Bhattacharjee-directed and Bimal Roy-produced Usne Kaha Tha (1960). Indrani went onto star in Yash Chopra’s Dharmputra (1961) opposite Shashi Kapoor. She was the first heroine of Rajesh Khanna, who debuted in the Chetan Anand-directed Aakhri Khat (1966), India’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards, in which Indrani played the role of a young woman.

She acted in Shaadi (1962), Grahasti (1963), Haqeeqat (1964), Shaheed (1965), Bharat Milap (1965), Mere Lal (1966), Naunihal (1967) , Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Heer Raanjha (1970), Parvarish (1977), Zameer (1975), Dharam Veer (1977), Des Pardes (1978), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Naseeb (1981), among others.

Famous songs picturised on her were “Tumhari Zulf Ke Saaye Mein” (Naunihal), “Bhool Sakta Hai Bhala Kaun Yeh Pyaari Aankhen Rang” (Dharmputra). But among the most well-known is arguably “Baharon mera jeevan bhi sawaro” of Aakhri Khat with the music composition by Khayyam and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi that is evergreen.

She also acted in a few Marathi and Bhojpuri films, including Apradh (1979) in Marathi, where she delivered a stellar performance and Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram (1963) in Bhojpuri.

Indrani Mukherjee retired from the industry in the mid-1980s to take care of her children.