Indrani Mukherjee is an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films during the 1960s and 1970s and starred in over 70 films. After playing the heroine in some films, notably Usne Kaha Tha (1960) and Aakhri Khat (1966), she moved to playing character roles which were central to the film and made this her forte. Her roles in films like Dharam Veer (1977), Parvarish (1977) and Des Pardes (1978) were the pivot of the storyline, but they were not conventional heroine roles. Each of the movies were a success at the box office.
Early life Mukherjee was born on 1 March 1942 in Allahabad, United Provinces, into a Bengali Brahmin family. Her father, Dr. Jitendra Mukherjee, was a doctor of medicine who practised in Allahabad. Her mother, Kamini Devi Mukherjee, was a devoted home-maker. Indrani was one of seven children. She had four sisters and two brothers.
Career In 1960, she was screentested by Bimal Roy, which led to her debut with Usne Kaha Tha (1960), directed by Moni Bhattacharjee and produced by Roy, with Sunil Dutt and Nanda as the leads. Her next film was Dharmputra (1961), opposite Shashi Kapoor and directed by Yash Chopra, and which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi Her next big film was the war film Haqeeqat (1964), directed by Chetan Anand, who subsequently cast her as the lead, opposite debutant Rajesh Khanna in Aakhri Khat (1966), the film received critical acclaim, and was India's entry to the Academy Awards.
For the next decade, Indrani became a regular feature in Hindi films as a character actor in notable films such as Mere Lal (the famous song "Payal Ki Jhankar Raste Raste" was picturised on her), Grahasti, Heer Raanjha (1970), Parvarish (1977) and Dharam Veer (1977), the Dharmendra starrer, in which she played the pivotal role of Rajmata (Queen Mother).
She also acted in a few Marathi and Bhojpuri films including Apradh and Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram (1963). In 1984, Indrani retired from Hindi cinema.
Personal life and family Indrani married Krishanlal Khanna, a Punjabi Khatri, and moved to Nashik outside Mumbai in 1992.
Selected filmography
Usne Kaha Tha (1960) - Farida Dharmputra (1961) - Meena Shaadi (1962) - Kala R. Malhotra Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram (1963) - Parvati - Suraj's sister Grahasti (1963) - Kamini Suhagan (1964) - Sharda's mom Haqeeqat (1964) - Ram Swarup's wife Chandi Ki Deewar (1964) Bagalar Banga Darshan (1964, Bengali) Shaheed (1965) - Susheela Bharat Milap (1965) - Devi Maa Sita Mere Lal (1966) - Jamuna Kunwari (1966) Aakhri Khat (1966) Naunihal (1967) - Uma Ghar Ka Chirag (1967) Patni (1970) Pardes (1970) Heer Raanjha (1970) Aan Milo Sajna (1970) - Sita Truck Driver (1970) Sharafat (1970) - (Guest appearance) Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) - Mrs. Jaiswal (2nd) Naya Zamana (1971) - Asha Baazigar (1972) Bhai Ho To Aisa (1972) - Gayatri Zameen Aasmaan (1972) - Urmilla / Maya Parchhaiyan (1972) - Seeta Dil Ka Raja (1972) - Gauri Singh Raja Rani (1973) - Janaki Prem Parvat (1973) Daaman Aur Aag (1973) - Soni Aangan (1973) Paap Aur Punya (1974) - Nun Trimurti (1974) - Laxmi Shaitaan (1974) - Bablu's mom Ek Hans Ka Jora (1975) - Anil's sister-in-law Zameer (1975) - Mrs. Rukmini Maharaj Singh Sanyasi (1975) - Devotee Teesra Patthar (1976) Suntan (1976) Do Khiladi (1976) - Shobha Yaaron Ka Yaar (1977) - Shakuntala Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977) Parvarish (1977) - DSP's wife Kitaab (1977) - Kusum Ek Hi Raasta (1977) Dharam Veer (1977) - Maharani Meenakshi Chacha Bhatija (1977) - Sita Ab Kya Hoga (1977) -Mrs. Sinha (Raj's Mother) Bandie (1978) - Badi Rani Des Pardes (1978) - Rama Sahni Apna Khoon (1978) - Shanta Verma Bhookh (1978) - Thakurain Tumhare Liye (1978) - Saudamani Amar Shakti (1978) - Leela Sarkari Mehmaan (1979) - Didi Maa Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) - Mrs. Shanti Rai Jaani Dushman (1979) - Thakurain (Shera's Mother) Mr. Natwarlal (1979) - Seema Singh Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) - Ladjo Singh Yuvraaj (1979) - Maharani Meenakshi Love in Canada (1979) - Shonba Jaan-e-Bahaar (1979) - Mrs. Rai Dada (1979) - Mrs. Pyarelal The Burning Train (1980) - Padmini (Rajaram's wife) Gehrayee (1980) - Saroja Aas Paas (1981) - Munni Fiffty Fiffty (1981) - Mrs. Shanti Singh Ghamandee (1981) - Kamlesh's Mother Chorni (1982) - Mrs. Uma Sinha Rajput (1982) - Rupmati - Manu's Chachi Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman (1984) - Janki (Shakti's mom) Nirnayak (1997) - Neelam Aalo Chhaya (2014) - Mom (final film role)
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