Joy Mukherjee, the ’60s sensation whose films pulsed with romance, celebrates his birth anniversary on February 24. From the Mukherjee dynasty – father Shashadhar behind Bombay Talkies gems, uncle Ashok Kumar – Joy was destined for the spotlight, born 1939 in Jhansi.
His cinematic baptism was anything but glamorous. Sports-obsessed college kid Joy scoffed at a 15-rupee role in Hum Hindustani. Producers upped it to 200 rupees, sealing the deal for his pocket money needs. Debuting as Sunil Dutt’s sibling opposite Helen, it was modest beginnings.
Love in Simla changed the game. With Sadhana and R.K. Nayyar, it skyrocketed Joy to stardom. O.P. Nayyar’s tunes fueled blockbusters: Ziddi, Shagird, Ishara, Aao Pyar Karen – pure box-office gold.
Ambitious, Joy produced Humsaya (Sharmila Tagore, Mala Sinha) and Miss Bombay (Rajesh Khanna, Zeenat Aman), even directing Chhaila Babu. Financial hits dried up, leading to grind-it-out films like Mujrim and Kahani Phoolan Ki.
At 73, Joy left us on March 9, 2012. His journey from rejection to icon status inspires, proving Bollywood favors the bold – and the well-paid.