Srijit Mukherji | From an Economist to National Award-winning Director

Srijit Mukherji is an Indian film director and screenwriter who primarily works in the Bengali film industry and also in Bollywood. He has also won National awards for his films. His upcoming films are Shabaash Mithu which is a biographical film of Indian Cricketer Mithali Raj and Sherdil starring Pankaj Tripathi.

Personal Life

Srijit Mukherji was born on 23 September 1977 in Kolkata, West Bengal. He was born to Samaresh Mukherji and Sumita Sarkar. His father was the head of the Department of Architecture at Jadavpur University, Kolkata and his mother is a doctor. Srijit also has a sister.

Srijit completed his schooling at Dolna Day School, Kolkata and South Point School, Kolkata, West Bengal. Later he did his graduation in Economics from Presidency University, Kolkata. Further, he completed his master’s and M.Phil in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He quit his PhD while in his first year, to join IRI Symphony, Bangalore as an econometrician and business analyst. Later he quits his job to pursue Theatre and films.

In 2019, Srijit Mukherji got married to Bangladeshi actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila. They also have a daughter named Arya Tehreem Khan.

Career

While he was working as an economist he actively participated in plays in Delhi, Bangalore and Calicut. After leaving his job he started writing plays and formed his troupe. He also worked as an assistant director and as an actor in Anjan Dutt’s ‘Madly Bangalee’.He also acted in Aparna Sen’s ‘Iti Mrinalini’, in 2009. He has also written lyrics for films like Cross Connection, Le Chakka and Josh. TV serials like Dadagiri and non-film albums of Usha Uthup.

Way Towards Success

In 2010, he directed his debut film ‘Autograph’ which got critically acclaimed and also was a huge hit at the box office. The film also got selected for many Film festivals like MIAAC Film Festival in New York in 2010, London Indian Film Festival in 2011 and many more. Autograph won a total of 41 awards. In the same year, Srijit made his debut in acting in Rituparno Ghosh’s serial ‘Gaaner Opare’.

In 2011 he made his second film ‘Baishe Shrabon’ starring Prosenjit Chatterjee, Parambrata Chatterjee, Raima Sen, Abir Chatterjee and many more. The film was an official selection at the Dubai International film festival and was the closing film at London India Film Festival. The film ran a 105-day run at the box office making it the biggest blockbuster of the year. His third film was ‘Hemlok Society’ starring Parambrata Chatterjee and Koel Mallik, the film won 21 awards.

In 2014, Srijit Mukherji directed, the musical drama film Jaatishwar, which won four National Awards at India`s 61st National Film Awards. His second release in the same year was the drama-thriller film Chotushkone. In 2017 he made his Hindi debut as a director and remade his Bengali film ‘Rajnkahini’ in Hindi ‘Begum Jaan’ starring Vidya Balan. His 2020 release includes Dwitiyo Purush. He has also directed a few web series for Hoichoi tv and Adda times. His recent release was X=Prem. 

Achievements and Awards

Srijit Mukherji has won Filmfare Awards East 2020 for his film ‘Vinci Da’. He has won 5 national awards for his films, Gumnaami, Ek Je Chillo Raja, and Chotuskhone. Srijit was nominated for Kerala International Film Festival. He has also won West Bengal Film Journalists’ Association for Ek Je Chhilo Raja in 2018. 

Also Read: Parambratra Chatterjee | The Golden Boy of the Indian film Industry