‘Royal’ revival of iconic Joy Mukerji banner with launch of movies by super-talented son Sujoy Mukherjee--collab with Dilip Shukla & C H Muhammed !    --- by Chaitanya  Padukone             

It was an aura of emotionally charged nostalgia- sentiments  for the entire Mukherjee  parivaar on Saturday night at their home-ground landmark Filmalaya Studios  located at Andheri West. The  memorable occasion was the  grand launch of ( legendary yesteryear evergreen heart-throb)  Joy Mukherji productions in collaboration with Royal Cinemas ( Malayalam movies) foray into Bollywood with  talented Sujoy Mukherjee ‘s debut film announcement as a movie-director . As he takes the legacy forward of their illustrious family's pioneer banner “Joy Mukerji Productions” in collaboration with Royal Cinemas and makes his directorial debut  “Kalpvriksh”, at the ancestral Filmalaya Studio along with the announcement of Dilip Shukla’s film “Ganga. Meanwhile, preparations are also on for constructing a state-of-the-art  premium class preview mini-theatre within the Filmalaya premises.

The turn-out at the historical event included  dynamic matriarch Neelam-jee Mukherjee, ( she spoke very well with her candid views),  Debu-da Mukherjee, Subir Mukherjee, Sharbani Mukherjee, Samrat Mukherjee, Supriya (Sujoy) Mukherjee and guest of honour ‘ageless’ composer Anandji-bhai ( of Kalyanji-Anandji fame) and of course the collaborating Southside ( Malayalam) producers led by   C.H Muhammed  (Royal Cinemas). Also adding glam-quotient to the event was  alluring guest TV star Nyra Banerjee ( of  TV show ‘Pishachini’ fame) . In a surprise musical twist, entertaining the invited audience (from the stage) was multi-talented enthusiastic movie-writer Sunil Kapoor who ‘sang’ a medley of popular songs from Joy Mukherji movies, even as sangeetkar Anandji-bhai joined him for a few moments.

The enterprising Sujoy Mukherjee not only takes forward his father’s banner “Joy Mukerji Productions”; he also incorporates classic vintage glimpses of the golden era in his debut film* “Kalpvriksh”, and he will revive his famous father’s fond memories as a musical rock-star  Enthuses Sujoy, “My Dad was literally the ‘joy’ of Indian cinema. To see him act and perform to songs in films was like going to an acting school, he was a Gurukul. My father late Joy Mukherjee has left a beautiful legacy which I would like to reintroduce”, insists Sujoy who will introduce new promising talents in both his movies

Sujoy’s debut film “Kalpvriksh” as a director is the result of his long, dedicated journey of exploring various departments in the industry. The plot of the film revolves around sufferings of parent’s vis a vis their over ambitious and selfish children. The basic idea of the story was given by legendary composer Anandji bhai (of musical duo Kalyanji Anandji fame)  story, screenplay & dialogues are by twin-brothers Sunil Kapoor, Sudhir Kapoor and Sujoy Mukherjee “I am making this film Kalpvriksh with the basic theme of not selling or destroying the properties and assets received in legacy from the elders” says Sujoy whose short film Ab Mujhe Udnaa Hai which is streaming on Disney + Hotstar  has carved its name on the trophy of 39 awards all over the globe and even won the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke International Film festival award for best short film

Along with Sujoy, ace dialogue-writer Dilip Shukla who is known for his awesome dialogues in blockbuster hits such as Dabangg, Dabangg 2, Andaz Apna Apna, Police Force ( also its director) & many more will direct “Ganga” which revolves around Ganga, a male orphan from Lathipur, a small village in Uttar Pradesh.  Discloses Dilip Shukla, “As the adverse situations get difficult, as a brave hero he has to fight with enemies of society, evil and powerful villains for the sake of the poor and oppressed. According to Dilip Shukla, river Ganga-maiiyya has its two contrast sides-- as the sacred worshipped peaceful river and also can become destructive when there are heavy floods. I am highly honoured to be associated with Joy Mukerji Productions & Royal Cinemas. They are among the oldest flag bearers of our Indian Film Industry. My wonderful association with them for Ganga will fetch me a broader audience base" , “ says writer Shukla who was associated with Daamini (1993) known for its  impactful dialogues like Taarekh Pey Taarekh,  Jab Dhhai Kilo ka Haath—Aadmi Utth Jaata hai etc,

Unassuming Southside ‘showman’ C.H Muhammed of Royal Cinemas, a writer, lyricist, producer with two blockbuster Malayalam films, one of them being superstar Mamootty starrer Masterpiece & Mamta  and the Mohandas starrer To Noora With Love to their credit says "Our association is a collaboration of established banners of the Indian Film Industry. Together we aim to venture into unexplored realms of film making by experimenting with new themes and subjects and besides Bollywood movies, we are also proposing to launch three new Malayalam movies with talented directors, ” discloses Muhammed.

Both Sujoy & Dilip are constantly involved in developing new revolutionary experimental thoughts and unique ideas to present Indian films in an international frame. As filmmakers who are full of ideas, Sujoy & Dilip envision delving into revolutionary and untrammeled areas and thus be able to discover their inner self using the limitless possibilities and scope of cinema.

Memorable movies favourites of  evergreen mega-star Joy Mukherjee : Love in Simla ( debut),  Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon,  Ziddi,   Love in Tokyo  Shaagird,  Ek Haseena Ek Musafir  and Humsaaya,