Mithun Chakraborty: This year the Dadasaheb Phalke Award will be given to Mithun Chakraborty. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav made this announcement on Monday (30 September). Mithun Da will be honored at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8. Mithun has worked in more than 350 films in Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Odia and Bhojpuri in a career spanning nearly 5 decades.
He started his film career in 1976 with Mrigayaa and won the National Award for this first film. He got recognition from Disco Dancer in 1982. Mithun has received the National Award 3 times. He was also awarded the Padma Shri in January 2024.
On receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Mithun Da said –
To be honest, I am speechless after receiving such a prestigious award. I am neither able to cry nor smile. It is such a big thing. I can’t even imagine that a boy from where I come has received such a big honour. I dedicate this to my family and fans all over the world.
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Mithun was a Naxalite, he came back to take care of his family
Mithun Chakraborty was born on 16 June 1950 in Kolkata. His real name is Gaurang Chakraborty. Mithun has done graduation in Chemistry. After graduation, Mithun joined the Naxal movement and became a hardcore Naxalite and went away from home.
A few years later, Mithun’s only brother died in an accident. Seeing the difficult circumstances at home, he left the Naxal movement and returned home. Mithun’s life was in danger if he broke ties with Naxalism, but he was not afraid. He had a deep friendship with the notorious Naxalite Ravi Ranjan.
Mithun learned acting from Pune’s Film and Television Institute
When he returned home, he was inclined towards Hindi cinema. He learned acting from Pune’s Film and Television Institute and then came to Mumbai in search of work. He spent many nights without food. After months of hard work and waiting, he got a chance to become Helen’s assistant.
Seeing Mithun following Helen around as her assistant, some filmmakers gave him small filler roles. Mithun got a small role in Amitabh Bachchan’s film Do Anjaane. During this time, Mithun was also cast in films as a body double.
Mrinal Sen noticed flirting Mithun and made him a hero
Famous filmmaker Mrinal Sen’s eyes fell on Mithun in Pune. That day, Mithun was carefree flirting with some college girls. Mrinal was so impressed by Mithun’s style that he offered him his film Mrigayaa. Mithun started his career as a hero with this art film released in 1976. For this, he received the National Award for Best Actor.
Mithun was awarded the
National Film Award for Best Actor for his brilliant performance in Mrigayaa, but he did not have the money to go to Delhi and receive the award. Then Rekha took him along as her spotboy.
He had told the journalist who had come to interview him – feed me first
It happened many times during his struggle that Mithun spent nights hungry. Even after his first film ‘Mrigayaa’ he had to struggle. After getting the National Award, when a journalist came to interview him, he was so hungry that he could not speak. He told the journalist to feed him first and then he would give the interview.
After Mrigayaa , heroines were not ready to work with Mithun because of his dark complexion
Mithun played small roles in films like ‘Do Anjaane’. The film ‘Suraksha’ released in 1979 made Mithun a superstar. After this film, there was a queue of well-known producers and directors, but the established actresses of that era did not want to work with Mithun because of his dark complexion.
Mithun got recognition from Disco Dancer, the first film to earn 100 crores
The golden period of Mithun’s film career started with the film Disco Dancer in 1982. This was the first Hindi film to earn 100 crores. However, its collection was more from the Soviet Union than from India. Mithun was a non-dancer, but when he danced as per the requirement of the film, his steps became famous all over the country.
Mithun was one of the highest paid actors, last Hindi film Kashmir Files
Mithun has been one of the highest paid actors in India between the 80-90s. Mithun Chakraborty’s last released Hindi film was The Kashmir Files in the year 2022. Apart from this, he also appeared in the Bengali film Prajapati and Kabuliwala.
Mithun Chakraborty’s name is recorded in the Limca Book
Mithun Chakraborty’s 19 films were released in 1989, in which he appeared as a lead actor. This record of his is recorded in the Limca Book of Records. Even after nearly 35 years, no one has been able to break his record.
Last year, Waheeda Rehman received this honor
In the year 2023, Veteran actress Waheeda Rehman was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. She is the 8th woman to receive this award. Before her, this award has been given to Devika Rani, Ruby Meyers, Kanan Devi, Durga Khote, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Asha Parekh.
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