Bollywood bids tearful adieu to Joy Mukherjee

Mumbai, Mar 10 (ANI): The Bollywood film fraternity bid a tearful adieu to veteran actor Joy Mukherjee at his funeral ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday.

Mukherjee, who passed away at the age of 73, was critically ill and had been admitted to the hospital in critical condition on Monday. He was on ventilator support before he breathed his last on Friday.

His last rites were performed at the Versova crematorium today, in the presence of family members and close relatives including Bollywood actors Kajol, Raza Murad and Tabassum.

Mukherjee is survived by his wife, Neelam and three children. He was also the paternal uncle of Bollywood actresses Kajol and Tanisha Mukherjee.

Veteran Bollywood actor Tabassum said she had known the stalwart for 60 years, describing him as a kind-hearted and cheerful person.

"I was associated with Joy for the last 60 years; we were more like brother and sister. The biggest thing was that he had not changed like most people of the film fraternity, because as long as a person is in the limelight, the film fraternity gives them importance, but as soon as someone retires or leaves work, they break all ties with that person.

"But, Joy was not like that. I had spoken to him even a day before he was admitted to the hospital and he had said a very beautiful phrase that whatever has already happened will never come back, new people come but the old ones do not," said Tabassum.

Mukherjee stepped into showbiz with the 1960 hit film "Love In Simla".

His popularity soared further with films like "Shagird", " Love In Tokyo", "Ziddi", "Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon" and "Ek Musafir Ek Hasina".

He was the son of Sashadhar Mukherjee, a film maker. His mother was Sati Devi, legendary actor Ashok Kumar's sister. Sashadhar Mukherjee was the co-founder of Filmalaya Studios. (ANI)