Asha Parekh's connection with Rani Mukerji's father

'Ram Mukherjee was kind, gentle and attentive. He knew his job even though Hum Hindustani was his directorial debut. He was very confident.'

Asha Parekh remembers one of her earliest directors, Ram Mukherjee.

We may know him as Rani Mukerji's father today but Ram Mukherjee was a noted film personality in his own right.

One of the founders of the iconic Filmalaya Studios, Mukherjee had directed films like Hum Hindustani, Leader and Ek Baar Muskura Do. He passed away on October 22 at the age of 84.

Asha Parekh, who started her career with Filmalaya Studios and worked with Ram Mukherjee in Hum Hindustani, recalls her association with the director.

We worked in Hum Hindustani, which is remembered till date for its title song (Chodo kal ki baatien).

Ram Mukherjee was kind, gentle and attentive. He knew his job even though Hum Hindustani was his directorial debut. He was very confident.

My first release Dil Deke Dekho, which was produced by the same banner (Filmalaya), was a big success. I was flooded with offers.

I chose to do Hum Hindustani with Filmalaya because I was comfortable with it.

I was shooting for Ghunghat alongside, which became a very big hit. Hum Hindustani was an average success but I had great fun shooting for it.

I was paired with Sunil Duttsaab, with whom I later worked in Chirag and other films.

I remember during the shooting of Hum Hindustani, we had to shoot in a forest. My mother and I got left behind and the entire unit left. Duttsaab came back to get us.

Shooting Hum Hindustani was a big adventure.