Tanuja Mukherjee Age, Husband, Children, Family, Biography & More

Bio/Wiki
Birth name	Tanuja Samarth (before marriage)
Profession	Actress
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)	in centimeters- 155 cm in meters- 1.55 m in feet & inches- 5’ 1”
Weight (approx.)	in kilograms 60 kg in pounds- 132 lbs
Eye Colour	Dark Brown
Hair Colour	Salt and Pepper
Career
Debut	Film: 'Hamari Beti' as a child artist 'Tanuja' (1950) TV: 'Khandaan' (1985)
Awards, Honours, Nominations	• 1964- Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards for 'Best Supporting Actress' for the film 'Benazir' • 1967- Nominated for Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for the film 'Jewel Thief' • 1969- Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for the film 'Paisa Ya Pyaar' • 1982- Filmfare Awards East for 'Best Actress' for the film 'Adalat o Ekti Meye' • 2013- Life OK Screen Awards for 'Best Actress' for the Marathi film 'Pitruroon' • 2014- Producers Guild Film Awards- Lifetime Achievement Honour • 2014- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award
Personal Life
Date of Birth	23 September 1943 (Thursday)
Age (as of 2024)	81 Years
Birthplace	Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India (now Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Zodiac sign	Libra
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Mumbai
School	• Villa Theresa High School, Mumbai • Walsingham House School, Mumbai • St. Joseph's Convent School, Panchgani, Maharashtra • St. George's, Switzerland
Religion/Religious Views	Tanuja does not believe in the concept of god. [1]The Times of India
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Divorced
Affairs/Girlfriends	During her time in Switzerland, Tanuja met an Italian boy named Pier Franco Giacardi, who she dated for a little while. He was her first boyfriend. [2]The Times of India
Marriage Date	Year 1973
Family
Husband/Spouse	Shomu Mukherjee (Filmmaker)
Children	Daughters- 2 • Kajol (Actress) • Tanishaa Mukerji (Actress)
Parents	Father- Kumarsen Samarth (Filmmaker) Mother- Shobhana Samarth (Actress and Filmmaker)
Siblings	Brother- Jaideep Sisters- 3 • Nutan (Actress) • Chatura • Reshma (Artist)

Some Lesser Known Facts About Tanuja Mukherjee

• Tanuja Mukherjee is an Indian actress who is known for her roles in Hindi films like ‘Chand Aur Suraj’ (1965), ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ (1971), ‘Mohabbat Ki Kasam’ (1986), and ‘Son of Sardaar’ (2012). She is the mother of Indian actresses Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji.

• Tanuja was born into a family with a filmy background. Her father was a director, and her mother was a famous film actress. Also, her elder sister Nutan was an established actress.
  

  (Right to left) Nutan, Shobhana Samarth, Kumarsen Samarth

• Tanuja never liked studying but had an immense interest in learning new languages. When she was studying in Switzerland, she and her father used to write letters to each other in the German language. ^[3]The Times of India

• When she started studying in Switzerland, she met an Italian boy named Pier Franco Giacardi who later became her first boyfriend, and she also experienced her first kiss with him. ^[4]The Times of India

• Her parents parted ways before her brother was born.

• Tanuja was only 5 years old when her mother directed the film ‘Hamari Beti’ (1950). She lost two teeth while shooting for the film, and when she first heard her voice on the shooting monitor, she refused to speak at all. ^[5]The Times of India
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee (right) as a child actor in her debut film, ‘Hamari Beti’ (1950)

• She had to leave her school in Switzerland at the age of 16 and return to India due to financial constraints in her family. She never got a chance to attend college, and she was cast for a small role in the film ‘Chhabili’ (1960) along with her elder sister as they had to work in order to support their family financially. ^[6]The Times of India

• During the shoot of the Hindi film ‘Hamari Yaad Aayegi’ (1961), Tanuja was slapped by the filmmaker Kidar Sharma for laughing too much when she was supposed to cry during a scene. ^[7]The Times of India

• Tanuja was never very serious about being on the top as a heroine but always wanted to become a fine artist. Hence she always took a potential role even if it was a supporting one.

• Tanuja Mukherjee has also been part of many Bengali films like ‘Deya Neya’ (1963), ‘Antony Firingee’ (1967), ‘Teen Bhubaner Paare’ (1969), and ‘Pratham Kadam Phool’ (1969).
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee in a still from the Bengali film ‘Pratham Kadam Phool’ (1969)

• During the shoot of ‘Chand Aur Suraj’ in 1965, Tanuja slapped actor Dharmendra because he was trying to flirt with her. Dharmendra later apologised for his actions and requested Tanuja to make him her brother. In an interview, she was quoted saying,
  

  One day he tried to flirt with me. Taken aback, I slapped him and said, ‘Besharam! I know your wife and you have the audacity to flirt with me. He pleaded, ‘Tanu, meri Maa, sorry bolta hoon! Please make me your brother.” ^[8]The Indian Express

• Tanuja met the late filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee in 1972, on the sets of the Hindi drama film ‘Ek Baar Muskura Do,’ and they got married a year later in 1973; however, the couple got separated. Shomu Mukherjee passed away in 2008, after suffering from a massive heart attack.

• Tanuja is a chain smoker and has never been shy about this fact. She even smokes in public, which sometimes becomes objectionable by the general public. She is also seen drinking alcoholic beverages at various parties with her friends. ^[9]The Indian Express
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee smoking at a public event

• She is also a social activist in Lonavala-Khandala Citizens Forum, which deals with the environmental issues of hill areas.

• Tanuja has been part of many Marathi films like ‘Zaakol’ (1980), ‘Unad Maina’ (1988), and ‘Pitruroon’ (2013).
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee during the shoot of the Marathi film ‘Pitruroon’ (2013)

• In 1985, Tanuja made her television debut with the show ‘Khandaan’ on Doordarshan, followed by the show ‘Junoon’ in 1994 on Doordarshan in which she played the role of Advocate Pratibha Mathur (Justice Bhatnagar’s wife).

• In 2004, she was cast in the Hindi neo-noir action thriller film ‘Khakee’ in which she played the role of Dr. Iqbal Ansari’s mother. She also starred in the Hindi action thriller film ‘Deewaar: Let’s Bring Our Heroes Home’ in which she played the role of Ranvir Kaul’s wife and Gaurav’s mother.

• In 2008, Tanuja made an appearance as a judge of the Indian dance and singing competition ‘Rock-N-Roll Family.’

• In 2017, she was cast in the Hindi historical fiction television series ‘Aarambh: Kahaani Devsena Ki’ in which she played the role of ‘Hahuma.’ It was aired on StarPlus.
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee (centre) in the promo of the TV series ‘Aarambh- Kahaani Devsena Ki’ (2017)

• In 2019, Tanuja was diagnosed with Diverticulosis (a colone complication) and underwent surgery at the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. ^[10]Hindustan Times

• Tanuja Mukherjee is related to many Bollywood personalities like actor Mohnish Bahl, actress Rani Mukerji, actor Sujoy Mukherjee, and filmmaker Ayan Mukerji.
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee with Rani Mukerji at Durga Pooja in Mumbai

• In 2022, Tanuja was cast in the romantic comedy anthology web series titled ‘Modern Love Mumbai’ in which she played the role of a ‘Baai’ (maid). The web series was aired on the Amazon Prime Video.
  

  Tanuja Mukherjee (left) in a still from the web series ‘Modern Love Mumbai’ (2022)

• On 17 December 2023, Tanuja was hospitalised in Mumbai due to age-related issues and was placed under observation in the ICU. ^[11]India Today