Ayan Mukerji was born into a film-oriented family in Kolkata. His father, Deb Mukherjee, was an actor, and he grew up surrounded by cinema. Initially enrolled in engineering, Ayan dropped out to pursue filmmaking, starting his career as an assistant director on Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades (2004). His passion and creativity soon led him to direct his debut film.
In 2009, Ayan made his directorial debut with Wake Up Sid, starring Ranbir Kapoor, which was both a critical and commercial success. He followed it up with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of its time. His most ambitious project to date, Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022), combined fantasy, mythology, and modern storytelling, marking him as one of Bollywood’s most innovative directors. Known for his collaborations with Ranbir Kapoor and Dharma Productions, Ayan continues to shape contemporary Hindi cinema with his unique vision.