New Delhi/Kolkata. Mithun Chakraborty, famous actor of films like ‘Mrigya’, ‘Suraksha’, ‘Disco Dancer’ and ‘Dance Dance’, who popularized disco dance in Hindi cinema, was honored on Monday by the government with ‘Dance Award’ for his remarkable contribution in the field of cinema. Announced the award of ‘Dada Saheb Phalke’ award. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav made this announcement on the social media platform ‘X’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed happiness over the announcement of actor Mithun Chakraborty being selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, calling him a cultural ambassador. Modi said in a post on He is a cultural icon and has been admired across generations for his versatility. Congratulations and best wishes to him.” Vaishnav said Chakraborty’s illustrious cinematic journey “inspires generations”.
The minister said in the post, “It is a matter of pride to announce that the ‘Dada Saheb Phalke’ Selection Committee has decided to give this award to the famous actor Shri Mithun Chakraborty for his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema.” Chakraborty (74) said that when he got this news, all the memories of his life so far, including the days of initial struggle for food and hiding his head, came alive in his mind.
He said, “I have no words.” This is an occasion that brings back memories of the past. I went from Kolkata to Mumbai. I had no food in Mumbai and sometimes I had to sleep in the park too…. I started remembering all these things. After all these things you get this respect. I am speechless. All I can say is that I dedicate this award to my family and my fans around the world.” The actor told reporters in Kolkata, “You know my life has never been easy. I never got things served on a plate. I had to fight for everything but when results like this come you forget every pain. It has been God’s grace.” Chakraborty also praised Prime Minister Modi.
He said, “I have a lot of respect for Prime Minister Modi. He is fantastic. I know them. He has a wonderful personality.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated the actor. Shah said, “Mithunji’s illustrious career spanning decades has not only enriched our films but has also set standards of excellence in acting. I wish them the best of luck.” Vaishnav said that Chakraborty will be given this award at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024.
A three-member jury selected Chakraborty for this prestigious honour. The jury included former Dadasaheb Award winner Asha Parekh, actor-politician Khushboo Sundar and filmmaker Vipul Amritlal Shah. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who has worked with the actor in films like ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’, also congratulated him by posting on ‘X’.
He wrote, “Congratulations Dada. Excellent presentation by three-time National Award winner and now Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee Padma Bhushan Mithun Chakraborty!” A few months before the announcement of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Chakraborty was awarded the ‘Padma Bhushan’, the third highest civilian award of the Government of India. Chakraborty’s real name is Gaurang Chakraborty. He has been an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (FTII). He has worked prominently in Hindi and Bengali cinema.
Chakraborty started acting in films with Mrinal Sen’s 1976 film ‘Mrigaya’, for which he also won the National Film Award for Best Actor. He also won two more National Awards for the 1992 film ‘Tahader Katha’ (Best Actor) and the 1998 film ‘Swami Vivekananda’ (Best Supporting Actor).
Chakraborty became famous with his distinctive dance style in the 1982 superhit film ‘Disco Dancer’. He is credited with starting the era of disco dancing in India through extremely popular songs like ‘I am a disco dancer…’ and ‘Yaad aa raha hai…’. This film is one of the very few films of Chakraborty which earned him fans internationally.
After this, he gave many hit films like ‘Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye’, ‘Hum Se Hai Jamana’, ‘Pasand Apni Apni’, ‘Ghar Ek Mandir’, ‘Kasam Padan Karne Wale Ki’ and ‘Commando’. In the year 1990, her acting in the film ‘Agneepath’ with Amitabh Bachchan was also highly appreciated. Former Rajya Sabha member Chakraborty had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Chakraborty also served as the chief judge or ‘Grandmaster’ of the popular dance reality series ‘Dance India Dance’ from 2009 to 2018. In the year 2023, Waheeda Rehman was honored with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
If I can reach here then why can’t you: Gemini
Actor Mithun Chakraborty on Monday said that if he can get the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, then other hard-working artistes can also get it. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said in a post on ‘X’ that Mithun Chakraborty has been nominated for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Chakraborty said that he dedicates this honor (Dada Saheb Phalke Award) to his family and countless well-wishers and fans.
Responding to a question on how he sees the journey from his home in North Kolkata to here, the actor said, “I want to tell everyone that if I can reach here then why can’t you?” He said, “You (aspirants to become actors) should have a sense of dedication. You have to be prepared to face difficult situations. “I can be an example of that.”
When asked about the good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chakraborty said, “I thank him for the good wishes. Thanks to him and everyone who wished me well.” When asked about his tenure as Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member, Chakraborty said, “My tenure has ended long ago. I am no longer an MP. I am an actor who also does social work for people.”