February 24 marks the birth anniversary of Joy Mukherjee, the 1960s heartthrob whose suave style and hit songs still resonate. Scion of Bollywood royalty – son of producer Shashadhar Mukherjee and nephew of Ashok Kumar – Joy was born in Jhansi in 1939. His family’s legacy included timeless hits like Bandhan, Jhoola, and Nagin.
The story of Joy’s film journey is laced with humor and serendipity. While studying in college and excelling in sports, director Ram Mukherjee – a relative – offered him a role in Hum Hindustani. The pay? Just 15 rupees. Joy, prioritizing his athletics, politely declined.
The producers persisted, hiking the offer to 200 rupees. That amount, perfect for college expenses, changed everything. Joy accepted the minor role opposite Helen in the Sunil Dutt-Asha Parekh starrer. It was his foot in the door.
Breakthrough came swiftly with Love in Simla, where he romanced Sadhana under R.K. Nayyar’s direction. The superhit launched him into the big league. O.P. Nayyar’s music powered subsequent smashes like Love in Tokyo, Shagird, Ziddi, and Door Gagan Ki Chhron Mein.
Joy diversified, producing and directing films such as Humsaya and Chhaila Babu. Setbacks followed with underperformers, pushing him toward survival roles in B-movies. Yet, his early contributions to Hindi cinema remain unforgettable.
Mumbai bid farewell to Joy on March 9, 2012, at age 73. Today, on his janamdin, fans celebrate the man who said ‘no’ to stardom – only to embrace it on his terms.