WCC pays tributes to documentary filmmaker Chandita Mukherjee

Noted documentary filmmaker Chandita Mukherjee passed away at her residence in Mumbai on Tuesday (Apr 18). She was 70. Best known for her multi-part series ‘Bharat Ek Chhap’ on the evolution of science and technology in India, she was also a sociology graduate and alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has paid tributes to the filmmaker. In a note shared on social media, the organisations paid respect to Chandita Mukherjee.

“Chandita Mukherjee, pioneer woman Filmmaker sadly passed away yesterday. She was born in 1952. After her BA at the Miranda College in New Delhi, Chandita became one of the earliest women direction graduates of the Film & TV Institute of India at Pune. She battled family opposition and paid her own way through the Institute doing many odd jobs including modelling. Her first assignment after graduating was at the ISRO Satellite TV station (SITE) where Indian Television was launched. She went on to make numerous documentaries and shorts including the magnum opus series aired on Doordarshan, ‘Bharat Ki Chaap’ on the History of Science in India. She was a great teacher and has mentored many women in their careers. Chandita visited Kerala as a Jury Member at the IDSFFK and at various filmmaking workshops etc She was a champion of WCC believing that women need to organise themselves. Her last film was Migration and Resilience which has been screened widely. She won two National Awards and was honoured by the Jules Verne Prize by the Government of France for her body of work. Deeply political and a sincere humanist, Chandita spread warmth and inspiration. Hers is the famous ‘Close- up’ smile! Her life and work work will ignite many a woman filmmaker! Adieu Chandita,” the note read.

Check the note here.
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Chandita Mukherjee is survived by her husband, journalist Feroze Chandra.