Recently, the veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, presented by President Droupadi Murmu. During the award ceremony, he shared some poignant words that resonate deeply with those struggling in life, inspiring many hearts.
He remarked, “Our country, India, is filled with talent; whether boy or girl, everyone has potential. But like me, they may not have financial resources. To them, I say: never lose hope. Dream big, sleep peacefully, but never let your dreams sleep.” He emphasized that if he could succeed, so could anyone else.
Mithun recalled the challenges he faced, saying,
“People told me that my dark complexion wouldn’t work in the film industry. They mocked me, calling me ‘Kala’ from behind. I faced immense humiliation, and I would often wonder what I should do. I asked God, ‘Can’t you change my color?’ But that wasn’t possible. Then I thought, I can dance. So, I decided to dance in such a way that people would look at my feet, not my skin; I wanted them to see my talent. In all my films, I danced, keeping my feet moving. Eventually, people forgot my color and I became known as the ‘Sexy Dusky Bengali Babu.’”
Mithun Chakraborty, born Gauranga Chakraborty, has primarily worked in Hindi and Bengali films and has also acted in a few Odia and Bhojpuri films. He has even served as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Before receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Mithun was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2024. He also holds a record in the Limca Book of World Records for releasing 19 films as the lead actor in 1989.
He began his acting career with the art-house drama film Mrigaya in 1976, for which he received his first National Film Award for Best Actor. His fame skyrocketed with the 1982 film Disco Dancer, which grossed over ₹100 crores at the box office.
Some of his notable films include Agneepath, Deewana Tera Naam Ka, Mera Yaar Mera Dushman, Parivaar, Baat Ban Jaye, Tarana, Patita, Unnis-Bees, and Hum Paanch. Over his film career, he has worked in more than 350 films.
By Priyanka Yadav
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