Auto overturns, National Award-winning director Srijit Mukherji hurt

NEW DELHI: National Awardwinning filmmaker Srijit Mukherji had a narrow escape on Tuesday night when the auto he was travelling in overturned at a bend on Nelson Mandela Marg. He was taken to AIIMS Trauma Center with a fracture in his left leg which had come under the wheels.His condition is stable and doctors said Mukherji would be discharged soon.

"He has hurt his ankle badly. There is a fracture and deep injury for which multiple sessions of surgical debridement is required. He has already undergone a few," said Amit Gupta, AIIMS spokesperson.

The 37-year-old director, who has bagged the 62nd National Film Award for Best Director for the Bengali movie Chatushkone, came to the city to attend the ceremony. He has got the Best Screenplay Award for the movie, too.

A former economist, Mukherji has also directed Autograph, Baishe Srabon, Hemlock Society, Mishawr Rawh oshyo and Jaatishwar.

"On Tuesday , both of us were in Jawaharlal Nehru University to meet some friends.We took an auto around 9.30pm to go to a restaurant. The vehicle overturned near Nelson Mandela Marg when the driver tried to take sharp turn in high speed. While I escaped with minor injuries, Srijit was thrown out of the auto," said Indranath Mukherji, a friend.

"The vehicle dragged on for a few metres before coming to a stop. Srijit was bleeding profusely . His left leg was crushed under the vehicle and he suffered injuries on the forehead too," said a senior police officer. A case of rash driving has been lodged but the driver is yet to be arrested.