Ayan Mukerji is a prominent Indian filmmaker known for his work in Hindi cinema. A key member of the illustrious Mukherjee-Samarth family, he has built a successful career with his collaborations with actor Ranbir Kapoor under Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Mukerji made a striking directorial debut with the critically acclaimed coming-of-age film Wake Up Sid (2009). He followed this with the blockbuster hits Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022), both ranking among the highest-grossing Hindi films. His directorial ventures have earned him multiple Filmfare Award nominations, including Best Director, with Wake Up Sid winning him the Best Debut Director award.

Mukerji hails from a family deeply rooted in Indian cinema. Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, to Bengali film actor Deb Mukherjee, Ayan is the grandson of Sashadhar Mukherjee, a pioneer of the Hindi film industry and one of the founding partners of Filmistan Studio in Mumbai. Sashadhar produced several classic films such as Dil Deke Dekho (1959) and Love in Simla (1960). Ayan’s grandmother, Satidevi Mukherjee (née Ganguly), was the sister of legendary actors Ashok Kumar, Anup Kumar, and singer Kishore Kumar, further enriching his cinematic lineage.

Ayan’s extended family includes well-known personalities such as film producer Prabodh Mukherjee, director Subodh Mukherjee, and Rani Mukerjee’s grandfather Ravindra Mohan Mukherjee. His uncles include actors Joy Mukherjee, Subir Mukherjee, and Shomu Mukherjee, the latter being married to actress Tanuja and father of actresses Kajol and Tanisha Mukherjee. Ayan completed his schooling at Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai and briefly attended the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology before dropping out. He began his film career as a clapper boy on Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades (2004), marking his early foray into filmmaking.