Condition of Hrishikesh Mukherjee improving but critical

Mumbai, June 12 (UNI) The condition of Dadasaheb Phalke awardee and legendary filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who has been in Leelavati hospital, is improving.

''He is stable but still critical,''his son Pradeep Mukherjee told UNI. Hrishikesh Mukherjee is in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the hospital and is still on dialysis.

Since the news of Mukherjee's illness broke out, a stream of visitors including Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, Gulzar, Madhur Bhandarkar, Farooq Sheikh and Anupam Kher called on the ailing thespian and enquired about his well-being.

Born on September 30, 1922 in Kolkata, Mukherjee began his career in Mumbai in 1951 as an editor and assistant to Bimal Roy.

Some of his best known works include 'Satyakam', 'Guddi', 'Namak Haram', 'Milee', 'Golmaal', 'Chupke Chupke', 'Khoobsurat', 'Asli Naqli','Ashirwad' 'Anand', 'Anupama' and 'Aashirwad'.

He was also the chairman of Central Board of Film Certification and National Film Development Corporation.

On January 26, 2001 he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to Indian cinema.

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