Veteran actor and politician Mithun Chakraborty addressed the prejudice he faced regarding his skin colour during the early days of his film career while receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at Tuesday’s 70th National Film Awards ceremony. The event, held at Vigyan Bhawan, saw President Droupadi Murmu presenting the award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, recognizing lifetime achievements in the industry.
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Mithun shared anecdotes from his journey in Bollywood in his acceptance speech. He recalled the scepticism he encountered, stating, “Many told me that dark-skinned actors wouldn’t survive in Bollywood. I prayed to God, ‘Could you change my colour?’ But I eventually accepted that I couldn’t alter my complexion. Instead, I focused on my dancing skills, determined to become so remarkable that audiences would overlook my skin colour. That’s how I transformed into the ‘sexy, dusky Bengali babu.’”
The actor candidly discussed the ups and downs of his career, particularly following his first National Award win. Reflecting on his early successes, Mithun said, “I thought I had become Al Pacino. I began to treat producers dismissively. But reality hit when a producer kicked me out of his office. That day, I realised I was not Al Pacino, and it marked the end of my delusions.” He emphasized that every success was hard-earned, stating, “I received nothing on a platter. Everything I earned was through hard work.” He also expressed a sense of peace with his journey, saying, “I often questioned God for my struggles, but after receiving this award, I feel at peace and will never complain again.”
Known affectionately as Mithun Da, he made his film debut in 1976 with Mrigayaa, captivating audiences with his versatile acting. His portrayal of a Santhal rebel earned him a National Film Award for Best Actor right at the start of his career, followed by two more National Awards for Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998).
Mithun is celebrated for his iconic dance numbers, including I Am a Disco Dancer, Jimmy Jimmy, and Super Dancer, which have become timeless classics cherished by generations. Most recently, he appeared in Vivek Agnihotri’s film The Kashmir Files, further solidifying his enduring legacy in Indian cinema.