Rono Mukherjee Passes Away: All You Need to Know About the Veteran Filmmaker and His Family Ties with Ayan Mukerji and Kajol
Veteran filmmaker Rono Mukherjee has passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. His sudden death comes just a few months after the loss of his brother, Deb Mukherjee, who was the father of filmmaker Ayan Mukerji. The reason behind Rono’s passing is still unknown. Soon after the news broke, family members, including director Ashutosh Gowariker and Ayan Mukerji, arrived to pay their last respects.
Who was Rono Mukherjee?
Rono Mukherjee was a filmmaker and the father of actress Sharbani Mukherji, known for movies like Border and Mohandas. He directed two Hindi films during his career:
- Tu Hi Meri Zindagi (1965)
- Haiwan (1977)
His Work as a Director
Tu Hi Meri Zindagi, released in 1965, featured several known actors including Deb Mukherjee (his brother), Nivedita, Salome Roy Kapur, and M.B. Shetty. The film has a 6.0/10 rating on IMDb.
Haiwan, his second film, was a musical thriller that came out in 1977. It starred Laxmi Chhaya, Padma Khanna, and Joy Mukherjee (his brother, in a special appearance), along with Deb Mukherjee.
Rono Mukherjee’s Famous Film Family
Though Rono Mukherjee mostly stayed away from the media spotlight, he came from one of Bollywood’s most respected film families — the Mukherjee-Samarth clan.
- His father, Sashadhar Mukherjee, was a well-known producer in Indian cinema.
- He was the brother of Shomu Mukherjee (Kajol’s father), Deb Mukherjee (Ayan Mukerji’s father), Joy Mukherjee, and Subbir Mukherjee.
- That makes Rono the uncle of several Bollywood stars: Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Tanishaa Mukerji, and Ayan Mukerji.
His cousins include Ram Mukherjee (Rani’s father) and others who also had strong roles in the film industry.
Family Members Attend His Last Rites
Despite heavy rain in Mumbai, family members arrived to say their final goodbye to Rono. Ayan Mukerji and Tanishaa Mukerji were seen arriving at the cremation ground to support their cousin Sharbani.
In a video shared by the paparazzi, Ayan was seen stepping out of his car in a white kurta pajama, holding an umbrella. Tanishaa wore a traditional white suit as she walked inside.
Kajol, who shares a close bond with Sharbani and is often seen with her during Durga Puja celebrations, was not present. She may have missed the ceremony due to other commitments.
Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker and his wife Sunita Gowariker (Ayan Mukerji’s sister) also came to pay their respects. Sunita wore a white outfit, while Ashutosh wore a blue shirt with jeans.
A Second Loss for the Mukherjee Family
Rono Mukherjee’s passing is the second big loss for the family this year. His brother Deb Mukherjee passed away just a few months ago on March 14, 2025, at the age of 83, due to age-related health issues.
Deb Mukherjee was last seen in a small role in the 2009 film Kaminey, starring Shahid Kapoor and directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.
Rest in peace, Rono Mukherjee. Your legacy in Indian cinema and your family’s contribution will always be remembered.
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