'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' director Rajat Mukherjee dies in Jaipur; Urmila Matondkar, Manoj Bajpayee and others pay tributes

New Delhi: Film director Rajat Mukherjee, best known for movies such as 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' and 'Road', died due to a prolonged illness on Sunday morning in Jaipur. Actor Manoj Bajpayee was among the first celebrity to pay tribute to Rajat Mukherjee. He had directed Manoj Bajpayee in 'Road' (2002), which also starred Vivek Oberoi, Antara Mali and Vijay Raaz.

"My friend and director of 'Road', Rajat Mukherjee passed away in the early hours today in Jaipur after a long battle with illness!!! Rest in peace, Rajat. Still can't believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again. Khush reh jaha bhi reh," tweeted Manoj Bajpayee.

My friend and director of Road ,Rajat Mukherjee passed away in the early hours today in Jaipur after a long battle with illness!!! Rest in peace Rajat !!Still can’t believe that we will never meet or discuss our work ever again.khush reh jaha bhi reh. — manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) July 19, 2020

Actress Urmila Matondkar, who starred in 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' (2001) with Fardeen Khan and Sonali Kulkarni, wrote, "Saddened to hear sad demise of my friend n director of 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' Rajat Mukherjee.. a talented and live wire personality who made this rare gem of a film. Deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace, dear friend." 

Saddened to hear sad demise of my friend n director of “Pyaar tune kya kiya” Rajat Mukherjee..a talented n live wire personality who made this rare Gem of a Film. Deepest condolences to his family
Rest in peace dear friend  pic.twitter.com/FFAnKWyD8p — Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) July 19, 2020

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta also remembered his old friend Rajat Mukherjee and said that they knew each other from their struggle days in Mumbai. 

Just got news about the passing away of a dear friend. Rajat Mukherjee director of Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Road was a friend from our early, early struggles in Bombay. Many meals, many bottles of Old Monk consumed. Many more to consume in another world. Will miss you dear friend. — Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) July 19, 2020

Meanwhile, director Anubhav Sinha wrote, "Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee ('Pyar Tune Kya Kiya', 'Road'). He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well, mate."

Another friend gone too soon. Director Rajat Mukherjee (Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Road). He was dealing with multiple health situations past few months in Jaipur. Go well mate. — Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) July 19, 2020

Apart from 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya' and 'Road', Rajat Mukherjee had also directed 'Love in Nepal', among others.