Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji's mother, Krishna Mukerji, is no more.

Krishna Mukherjee, mother of veteran Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, has passed away. She breathed her last on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 75. Yash Raj Films confirmed the news of her passing in a statement issued on behalf of the Mukherjee family. However, the specific cause of death and details regarding the funeral arrangements have not yet been officially disclosed.

The statement from Yash Raj Films read, "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Rani Mukerji’s mother, Krishna Mukherjee, this afternoon at the age of 75. The family expresses their gratitude for everyone's love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. They also humbly request that their privacy be respected during this moment of grief."

The Guiding Force Behind Her Daughter's Success
Krishna Mukherjee played an immense role in the successful acting career of Rani Mukerji. Rani has often openly acknowledged that her mother was the primary inspiration behind her becoming an actress. Although Krishna Mukherjee was initially disappointed after seeing her daughter's first screen test—even suggesting to the producer that Rani be dropped to avoid financial loss—she was the first to recognize and nurture the latent talent within her daughter. Relying on her mother's decision, Rani eventually stepped into the world of acting and built a rich career spanning three decades.

Inspiration for the Character of ‘Mrs. Chatterjee’
In real life, the bond between Rani and Krishna was incredibly close. For her role as a Bengali mother in the 2023 film *Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway*, Rani drew inspiration directly from her own mother. She described her mother as the "most authentic Bengali" woman she had ever known, and she channeled her mother's maternal affection and daily habits into her on-screen performance.

A Connection to the World of Music
Krishna Mukherjee was not merely the parent of a star; she held an identity of her own within the film industry. She had worked as a playback singer in both Bengali and Hindi cinema. Her voice can be heard in the playback for films such as *Momer Alo* (1964), *Haiwan* (1977), *Tisri Aankh* (1982), and *Tomar Rokte Amar Sohag* (1993). The song "Eid Ke Din Gale Mil Le Raja" from the 1982 film *Tisri Aankh* stands out as one of her notable works. Additionally, she worked as a costume designer for the film *Isi Ka Naam Zindagi*.

A Film-Oriented Family
Krishna Mukherjee’s husband was the renowned filmmaker and co-founder of Filmalaya Studios, Ram Mukherjee. Ram Mukherjee passed away in 2017 at the age of 84. He also directed Rani Mukerji’s debut film, *Biyer Phool* (1996). The couple's other child, Raja Mukherjee, later became involved in film production and direction. Furthermore, National Award-winning actress Debasree Roy is Krishna Mukherjee’s sister. Through family ties, Bollywood actresses Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji, as well as director Ayan Mukerji, are also connected to this family.

Rani—who is married to producer-director Aditya Chopra in her personal life—last appeared in the film *Mardaani 3*. This sudden loss of her mother has cast a pall of deep grief over both the Mukherjee and Chopra families.