Krishna Mukerji, the mother of celebrated Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, passed away on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the age of 75. The deeply saddening news has cast a pall of gloom over the Indian film industry, with fans, friends, and colleagues offering their condolences to the grieving family.
Yash Raj Films Issues Official Statement
The news of Krishna Mukerji’s passing was officially confirmed by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the production house headed by Rani Mukerji’s husband, Aditya Chopra. The statement read: “With heavy hearts, we share that Rani Mukerji’s mother Mrs Krishna Mukerji, 75, passed away this afternoon. The family is deeply grateful for your love, prayers, and support, and respectfully requests privacy during this time of immense grief.”
While the family has not officially disclosed the exact cause of death, reports indicate that she may have suffered a heart attack.
Who Was Krishna Mukerji?
Krishna Mukerji was deeply intertwined with the world of Indian cinema long before her daughter became a household name.
Playback Singer: Krishna was a former playback singer who was actively associated with the Bengali film industry. She also lent her voice to Bollywood, most notably singing ‘Idd Ke Din Gale Mil Le Raja’ for the 1982 film Teesri Aankh.
Film Lineage: She was married to the late Ram Mukherjee, a prominent director and co-founder of the iconic Filmalaya Studios. Ram Mukherjee passed away in 2017 at the age of 84.
The Force Behind Rani’s Career: Rani Mukerji has frequently credited her mother for her entry into Bollywood. It was Krishna who encouraged an 18-year-old Rani to try acting as an experiment, which eventually led to her debut in the 1997 film Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat.
Also Read: End of an Era: Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Dies in Chennai at 94
Bollywood Gathers to Pay Final Respects
Following the tragic news, several prominent members of the film fraternity arrived at Mumbai’s Pawan Hans Crematorium to pay their last respects and support the Mukerji-Chopra family. Among the celebrities who attended the last rites were Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor, and Ayan Mukerji.
A Beautiful Mother-Daughter Bond
Rani and Krishna shared an incredibly tight-knit relationship, with Krishna often acting as her daughter’s biggest cheerleader at public events and screenings. In a recently resurfaced video from a Durga Puja celebration, Krishna spoke fondly of Rani winning the National Award for Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway.
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While expressing her immense pride, the doting mother candidly remarked that the honor came “very late,” as she believed Rani truly deserved her first National Award for her spectacular performance in the 2005 film Black. The passing of Krishna Mukerji is a profound loss for the family, leaving behind a legacy of music, cinema, and the enduring success of her children.
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