Veteran director Aurobindo Mukherjee passes away

Veteran film director Aurobindo Mukherjee passed away today at his residence here. He was 97.
Mukherjee was ailing from geriatric problems for some time. He is survived by two sons and a daughter. His wife died earlier.
Mukherjee was the maker of cult Bengali classics like 'Agniswar', 'Mouchak' and 'Nishipadma' -- all starring matinee idol Uttam Kumar -- in the early 70s.
Shakti Samanta's 'Amar Prem', starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, was inspired by 'Nishipadma'.
Mukherjee had also discovered a young Jaya Bhaduri -- who would later become famous as a Bollywood actress and marry superstar Amitabh Bachchan -- in 'Dhanyee Meye' in 1971.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has condoled the Mukherjee's death.