Ayan Mukerji Turns 43: Before YJHD And Brahmastra, He Started His Career Behind The Scenes
Ayan Mukerji celebrates his 43rd birthday on August 15, 2026. From the relatable world of Wake Up Sid to the blockbuster romance of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and the fantasy universe of Brahmastra, his filmmaking journey has covered different genres.
Born on August 15, 1983, in Kolkata, Ayan Mukerji comes from the prominent Mukherjee-Samarth film family. His father, Deb Mukherjee, was an actor. Ayan is also related to actresses Kajol, Tanisha Mukerji and Rani Mukerji.
Before becoming a director, Ayan worked as an assistant to Ashutosh Gowariker on Swades and later assisted Karan Johar. These early experiences helped him understand filmmaking before he stepped into direction with his own story.
Ayan made his directorial debut with Wake Up Sid in 2009. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma, the coming-of-age film explored youth, career confusion and self-discovery. The movie earned Ayan recognition as a promising young filmmaker.
In 2013, Ayan directed Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. The film blended friendship, romance, ambition and travel, becoming a major commercial success and one of the filmmaker’s most recognised works. (Image: Pinterest)
With Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva, Ayan moved from contemporary relationships to mythology-inspired fantasy. Released in 2022, the film starred Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt and became the first part of his planned fantasy trilogy. (Image: Instagram/@ayan_mukerji)
Ayan expanded his directorial filmography with War 2, released in 2025. The action thriller marked another genre shift for the filmmaker after his earlier coming-of-age, romantic and fantasy films, showcasing his interest in large-scale commercial cinema. (Image: Instagram/@ayan_mukerji)
