My father, Joy Mukerji, will always remain my hero : Sujoy Mukerji

In the history of Indian film industry, when Bollywood word was not coined, there were big stars, actors who enjoyed huge stardom, even Superstar word was not coined then, who were immensely popular. One of them was Joy Mukerji. Blessed with pleasant countenance, good height and body, his impressive presence, he would light up the screen and the conservative female fans (of those days) used to swoon silently. Belonging to the film family of Mukejis, Joy Mukerji created his own name as a star-actor. Continuing the filmy legacy, is his son Sujoy Mukerjee, who has witnessed his father’s stardom from the close quarters. The moment you mention his father’s name, Joy Mukerji, to him, his face lights up and he can go on and on about his father’s achievements as well as his humaneness.

Sujoy Mukerji hails from a family of legends who have a left an indelible mark in the history of indian cinema. He is the third generation filmmaker from the lineage of Sashadhar Mukherjee to Joy Mukerji. Sujoy went on to produce Serials like Aye Dile Nadaan, Apne Paraye and Gustakhi Maaf for Doordarshan. He was the Creative director for all these serials. Sujoy went on to direct a documentary film on ‘Shivaji Maharaja’ covering 10 forts across Maharashtra. Joy Mukerji’s unreleased movie, featuring his maternal uncles Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar, ‘Love in Bombay” under Joy Mukerji Productions was released on the great occasion of 100 years of Cinema by Mukerji brothers, Sujoy Mukerji And Monjoy Mukerji. After this Sujoy went on to become the associate producer for his home production film Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara under Joy Mukerji Productions. Now Sujoy Mukerji is going to make an impactful foray into acting with a Bollywood movie, Bombay 5. Sujoy spoke to our representative Keerti Kadam and here are excerpts from the conversation.

How come you were not seen on the silver screen much earlier?
Well, quite a few people ask me that. But frankly about couple of years back my brother Monjoy was making a film ‘Hai Apna Dil To Awara’, on which I came on board as a co-producer. I got involved with the production and enjoyed the process immensely. I enjoyed film production and decided to concentrate on that aspect. Next, I decided to make a short film, so I produced and directed Ab Muze Udna Hai. We won 40 odd awards, national as well as international, for the same. Shining glory was that it received ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’ last year. Kawaljeet Singh, Newcomer Jasmine Grover and Mahaakshay Mimoh acted in it. Coming back to your question, I got so much involved in film making that actor in me got relegated to a back seat. No doubt with a legacy of great actors behind me, I want to act too. It’s in my blood, in my genes. In fact I was offered a couple of films, but I did not find them tempting enough. Then Bombay 5 came along.

What made you say yes to Bombay 5?
(Smiles) Good question. Actually the character I am offered is protagonist and antagonist rolled into one. The story is based on real incidents. It takes place in Colaba, Mumbai whose postal pin code in 400005, hence the name Bombay 5. The story happens in a ‘basti’ in Colaba where a gangster, with a heart of gold, resides. His illegal activities and helpfulness makes him famous or infamous and what happens when he tries to tread the ‘good’ path is the crux of the narrative. I liked the Robin Hood like character very much and that’s the reason I said yes to this project. Again, the story is real and I always wanted to portray realistic characters. Here I’ll be able to showcase multi-dimensional character. Another reason being the film will be a amalgamation of realistic and commercial cinema.

You are proud and emotional about your short film Zindagi Anmol Hai. Tell us more about it.
In ‘Zindagi Anmol Hai’ I focused on the increasing depression in today’s youth. In fact, now, the word ‘depression’ is in vogue. I used Durga Pooja as a backdrop and Angel as a saviour of the protagonist. It’s actually a power within, which should be used to overcome adversities. I am happy that there’s a lot more awareness now regarding depression and many celebrities, who suffered, are talking about it very openly. For this film too we won plenty of awards, 31 to be precise. Winning awards at places like Israel, Tokyo, Paris was totally gratifying. Recently it got selected in a film festival organised by veteran singer Anup Jalota.

A song made during lockdown by you was highly appreciated from all quarters, including political parties. Tell us more about it.
During the corona pandemic enforced lockdown people were getting depressed due to various reasons. Sensing that I felt the urge to make a song to uplift the sagging spirit of people and Humara Hindustan was born. Sung by Sunil and composed by Moti Sultanpuri, Humara Hindustan attracted a lot of film and television celebrities, who got connected with it. Even BJP, the political party, liked it so much that that they posted it on their all official social media handles.

Your father, Joy Mukerji, was a huge star. What are your memories about him?
He was the Rock Hudson of the Hindi film industry. Those days Shammi Kapoor was called Elvis Presley and my father was called Rock Hudson. He was very good looking, handsome man. Wherever I go, people tell me that I have inherited only 50% of his looks. His film’s music is still remembered, for instance, Love In Tokyo, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hun, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Ziddi, Shagird are some of the film’s names. He has 75 superhit songs to his credit. My father will always remain my hero. He treated me as a friend. I remember a tour to Switzerland with him where he shared with me a lot of things like a friend. I have been closest to my father. When I was a child, he used to come to drop me to the school bus, wearing famous Bengali lungi-kurtas. And the same path is named Joy Mukerji Marg. I too wanted to do the same with my son, Joynil, but now the school bus comes at the doorsteps.

Did he ever advise you?
He always said that make a mark for yourself (अपने खुदकी एक पहचान बनाओ) and lead simple life. He always used to tell me to explore different vistas. Because of him I got interested in writing. I like to make films that relate to people. I have learnt this from my father.

You come from a film family. What’s your take on Nepotism?
As far as I am concerned, it won’t apply to me as my father left for heavenly abode nine years back. Whatever little I have achieved is on my own. Of course his blessings are with me always. Broadly speaking, any successful father/mother would like his/her son/ daughter to be successful and helping it achieve is normal. In film industry the same principle applies but if you don’t have talent people reject you downright. There’s a bigger list of failures than success. When I was venturing out with my first production Muze Udna Hai, I was discouraged from many. Even my mother was sceptical about short film. But I had faith in my product and it did extremely well and my mother was the proudest. I can not be termed as a nepotistic as I have never used my father’s name to advance myself.

Do you think, with the onset of content driven films being made, star system will vanish?
No. I don’t think so. We have huge superstars in Bollywood and all are doing great work. No doubt, the audiences’ taste has evolved but so has these superstars’. They have started doing story based projects. A lot has been happening on web front, so obviously stars are making a beeline for digital medium too. Talent never dies.

What was the impact on you, as an entrepreneur, of Corona pandemic?
Our studio (Filmalaya) was closed totally due to lockdown. But we have loyal staff, some of them are working for more than a couple of decades. We paid them full salary and we, the directors of the studio which include Sujoy, Monjoy Deboo Mukerji and others, took a 50% pay cut. Now things are normalising a bit. We believe in a slogan, ‘Show must go on’.

Mukerji clan is huge. Ever thought of bringing them together for a movie?
Actually a few years back a lot of Mukerjis were part of a film Ek Baar Muskura Do. Mukerjis like Deboo, Joy, Shomu, Ram, Shibu came together for a single project. And, yes, you gave me a good idea. I’ll work out something on that front, meaning bringing all Mukerjis for a film project.

Do you all Mukerjis meet often?
Well, all of us come together for Durga Pooja. We meet on Bhai Dooj too. Everyone makes it a point to not miss our Mukerji get-togethers, though this year is going to be an exception for the obvious reason, corona. Kajol, Rani, Tanisha, Ayan, Monjoy, me and others have decided to protect elders in the family so our Diwali celebration is going to be virtual this year. I miss my father a lot during these festivities as he used love being with own people. I cherish his advise, ‘Make a niche for yourself’. I am in a ‘work in progress’ mode while my cousins have made it big in the industry. I am extremely proud of my cousins, Kajol, Rani, Ayan because they have made it on their own.

Coming back to your upcoming film Bombay 5, what are the preparations?
I am excited about my role and already have started physical transformation. I am taking utmost precautions, compulsorily wearing masks, abiding social distancing rules etc. Even in our studio special tunnels are made by each unit to create bio-bubble. An ambulance is always parked here and Doctor is available on the spot. Even during Bombay 5 shoot, all government SOPs are going to be followed meticulously. Talking about my role in Bombay 5, I’ll simply say, I take inspiration from my father, Joy Mukerji, as he was a fit man, throughout.