Mumbai | September 22, 2026
Bollywood actor Rani Mukerji’s mother, Krishna Mukerji, died on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 75, her family has confirmed.
The news was announced through a statement released on behalf of the family. Yash Raj Films also shared the confirmation, according to India Today.
In its statement, the family said:
“With heavy hearts, we share that Rani Mukerji's mother Mrs Krishna Mukerji, 75, passed away this afternoon.”
The family thanked people for their support and requested privacy as they mourn her death.
No cause of death has been publicly disclosed in the reports available at the time of publication.
Family Requests Privacy During Period of Grief
The family's statement kept details surrounding Krishna Mukerji's death private.
It expressed gratitude for the messages of support the family has received while asking the public to respect their privacy.
The statement said:
“The family is deeply grateful for your love, prayers, and support, and respectfully requests privacy during this time of immense grief.”
The announcement did not provide additional information about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Who Was Krishna Mukerji?
Krishna Mukerji was a former playback singer and was associated with the Bengali and Hindi film world.
She was married to filmmaker Ram Mukerjee, one of the co-founders of Filmalaya Studios. Ram Mukerjee died in 2017.
Krishna also worked as a playback singer. Hindustan Times identifies one of her notable recordings as “Idd Ke Din Gale Mil Le Raja” from the 1982 film Teesri Aankh.
Beyond her own association with cinema, Krishna remained closely connected with her daughter’s career and was frequently seen accompanying Rani at public events over the years.
Krishna Mukerji Played a Key Role in Rani’s Acting Career
Rani Mukerji has previously spoken about how strongly her mother influenced her decision to become an actor.
In an earlier interview recalled by The Indian Express, Rani said:
“I did not decide (to become an actor). My mum decided that for me.”
Rani explained that she followed her mother’s advice and entered acting even though becoming an actor had not initially been her own plan.
She also credited her mother with recognising her potential before she recognised it herself.
That influence gives Krishna Mukerji a significant place not only in Rani’s personal life but also in the story of how one of Hindi cinema’s most prominent actors began her career.
Krishna Once Warned a Producer About Casting Rani
Krishna’s involvement in her daughter’s early career was not simply about encouraging her to enter films.
Rani recalled in a 2025 interview that after watching her first screen test, her mother was unimpressed enough to caution the producer against casting her.
Rani recalled Krishna telling the producer that he risked hurting his film by choosing her daughter because she did not believe Rani had performed well enough in the test.
The anecdote illustrates a more nuanced side of their relationship: Krishna encouraged Rani to explore acting, but was also prepared to be critical of her performance.
Rani eventually went on to establish a career spanning three decades in Hindi cinema.
Rani Drew Inspiration From Her Mother for ‘Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway’
Krishna Mukerji’s influence also extended into Rani’s later work as an established actor.
While promoting Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway in 2023, Rani said much of her interpretation of the central character was inspired by her mother.
The film featured Rani as a Bengali mother fighting to regain custody of her children.
Speaking about her preparation, Rani described Krishna as the most Bengali person she knew and said she drew “strength and inspiration” from her mother while developing the character.
That connection made Krishna more than a source of personal support: aspects of her personality and motherhood directly influenced one of Rani’s major screen performances.
A Family Deeply Connected With Indian Cinema
Krishna Mukerji’s life was closely connected with the film industry through both her own work and her family.
Her husband, Ram Mukerjee, was a filmmaker and co-founder of Filmalaya Studios. Their daughter Rani became one of the most recognisable actors in Hindi cinema, building a career that includes films such as Ghulam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Saathiya, Hum Tum and Black.
Krishna’s death therefore marks the loss of a member of a film family whose connection with Indian cinema spans generations.
Family Keeps Details Private
At present, the family has chosen not to release further details surrounding Krishna Mukerji’s death.
The confirmed information is that she died on the afternoon of September 22, 2026, aged 75. Reports published immediately after the announcement have not identified a cause of death.
Given the family’s explicit request for privacy, unconfirmed claims about the circumstances of her death should not be treated as established information.
For Rani Mukerji, the loss is particularly significant given how frequently she has credited her mother with shaping both her entry into acting and aspects of her work decades later.
