The Doyen of the Film Industry late Sashadhar Mukerji was the owner of Bombay Talkies , Filmistan studios and Filmalya Studios Mumbai . He produced several super hit films such as Shagird, Phir wohi Dil laya hoon, Leader ,Ek musafir ek Hasina ,Anand math etc. He was the father of the famous legendary actor Mr Joy Mukerji who was tall , fair and handsome and who acted in many superhit films in the sixties. Joy Mukerji is also credited with performing for the most scintillating romantic songs the industry had ever given.
Not many would know that Mr . Sashadhar Mukerji had married Sati Rani ,the real sister of Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar . The Ganguly brothers signified radiance and their multidimensional personality was seen to be believed. While Ashok Kumar was a versatile actor and a matinee idol in his own right, Kishore Kumar was incredibly a producer, director, writer, lyricist, composer, singer ,screenplay writer , all roped into one. As per Ameen Sayani and the Deputy Director of Doordarshan Mr Sharad Dutt no other artist has been gifted and was as multi-talented as Abhas Kumar Ganguly alias Kishore Kumar. .
The artist in them came to the fore when Ashok Kumar’s wife -Shobha Devi passed away. He asked his younger brother Kishore to sing a song as the funeral pyre was being lit. The song was “ Mera Jeewan kora kagaz kora hi rah gaya ‘ composed by Music Maestros Kalyanji Anandji. Kishore Kumar as per Anandji bhai had shed tears while recording the above mentioned song. But he raised his eyebrows and questioned the request made by his elder brother which was quite a weird . But Ashok Kumar told him that at that very moment he was able to understand the real meaning of the lyrics of the song.
“ ik hawa ka jhonka aaya
Toota daali se phool
Na pawan ki na Gagan ki kis ki hai ye bhool ……..
He explained to his younger brother that till a few moments ago his wife was very much alive and suddenly she collapsed and was gone . It all ended in a matter of a few seconds only. Kishore understood the reason of the strange request and sang the song at the cremation ground in honour of the departed soul and as requested by his emotionally charged elder brother.
Ashok kumar’s real name was Kumudlal kunjilal Ganguly who went ahead to live upto the age of 90 years , acting in more than 250 films. He was born in Bhagalpur in 1911 and passed away in Mumbai in 2001. He was fondly referred to as Dadamoni which means ‘jewel of an elder brother’. He was a law graduate and his film ‘Kismat ‘ was the first Indian film to have crossed one crore in 1943.
He never celebrated his birthday after 1987 as his younger brother Kishore Kumar died on 13 th October 1987 which was his birth date.
Kishore Kumar on his part was always found to be replete with zest and zeal . He was always seen brimming with energy and confidence . At times a bit eccentric but nonetheless an artist who exemplified by his stupendous success as a comic actor (a la padosan Chalti ka naam gaadi , Pyar kiye ja ) or as a singer who was beyond competition and comparison.
Born on 4th August 1929 in Khandwa he passed away in 1987 at the age of 58 only. He sang 2678 film songs and most of them became hit songs. He composed some notable songs such as ‘koi humdrum na raha ‘, ‘aa le ke tujhe ‘and ‘Bekrar Dil tu gaye ja. ‘
Not many would know that Once his wife told him that she had cooked Masoor ki Daal for dinner. He just got up Packed clothes and with family left for Mussoorie. Later he told them that Masoor ki daal reminded him of the Queen of Hills and that’s why he made up his mind to visit Mussoorie there and then.
Both the Ganguly brothers will be remembered for their art for a long long time.
Author singing Kishore Kumar songs at a musical nite
Interesting read