Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji's father, veteran actor Deb Mukerjee passed away on March 14 in Mumbai, at the age of 83 after battling age-related health issues. On Tuesday, Ayan held a prayer meet for his late father at Filmalaya Studio, Andheri, Mumbai. Overwhelmed with grief, he was seen requesting paparazzi to respect his privacy during this difficult time, reminding them that this was a personal event, not a Durga Puja.
Ayan was heard saying, "Andar bohot commercial hoga, but it is a prayer meet. Agar aapko lag raha hai ki achhe shots nahi mil rahe, toh I am sorry, humare liye aaj aisa hi better hai. Humare paas jagah nahi hai, humne shlokas rakhe hain. Agar photographers aayenge, toh awaaz hogi, aur wahaan jagah bhi nahi hai. Please, aaj ke liye rehne do. Please understand."
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Ayan, who appeared emotional, further added, "Yeh humare liye bohot personal event hai, it is not a Durga Puja event. It is very different for us today, so please understand. If you don't get any visuals today, I am sorry."
The Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikandar actor's last rites were held at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai, which was attended by several close family members and friends, including Kajol, Rani Mukerji, Karan Johar, Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Salim Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor.
The Mukerji family is known for hosting grand annual Durga Puja celebrations in Mumbai, attended by celebrities like Rani Mukerji, Ranbir Kapoor, Kajol, Alia Bhatt, Tanuja, Bipasha Basu, and Jaya Bachchan, among others. The Mukherjee family's Pujo tradition has been carried on for 77 years.
Deb Mukerjee was married twice. His daughter, Sunita, from his first marriage, is married to director Ashutosh Gowariker, while his son, Ayan Mukerji, is from his second marriage.
