Ayan Mukerji is an Indian film director who predominantly works in the Bollywood industry. He was born on August 15, 1983, in Mumbai to popular Bengali film actor Deb Mukherjee. Ayan belongs to the illustrious Mukherjee-Samarth family of Bollywood. He is also the first cousin of actress Kajol and the second cousin of Rani Mukerji. Ayan began his career in showbiz as an assistant to Indian film director and his brother-in-law Ashutosh Gowariker on the 2004 film ‘Swades.’ Later, he also served as an assistant to Karan Johar on the 2006 film ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.’ After taking a short break from filmmaking, Ayan made his directorial debut in 2009 with the coming-of-age comedy-drama ‘Wake Up Sid,’ which earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Director. His next film, the 2013 musical romantic comedy-drama ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,’ became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever. He has also directed the upcoming superhero trilogy film titled ‘Brahmastra.’