Wednesday, 06 November 2024
Wednesday, 06 November 2024
Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, best known for his role in Bollywood films like Disco Dancer and in arthouse cinema such as Mrigaya, will be conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday, 30 September.
"From the streets of Kolkata to cinematic heights; Mithun Da’s remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations! Honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke selection jury has decided to award legendary actor, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian cinema," Vaishnaw wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The announcement comes months after Chakraborty – Mithun da to millions of fans – was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour.
Vaishnaw said the award will be presented to the veteran actor at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on 8 October.
On being announced, the legendary actor said, "I am short of words. It is an occasion which reminded me of the past. I went to Mumbai from Kolkata. In Mumbai, I did not have food and would sometimes sleep in the garden... This kept replaying. After all this, you get this huge honour. I have no words. I can only say I dedicate this award to my family and to fans all over the world.
"You know my life has never been smooth, I did not get anything on platter, I had to fight for everything, but when the result comes like this, you forget all the pain, God has been kind," the actor told reporters in Kolkata.
Chakraborty also praised PM Modi.
"I have great respect for PM Modi, he is a fantastic man. I know him, he is a gem of a person," he added.
Expressing delight at veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty being conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lauded him as a cultural icon.
In a post on X, Modi said, "Delighted that Shri Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema."
"He is a cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances. Congratulations and best wishes to him," he said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated the veteran actor.
"Mithun Ji's illustrious career spanning several decades has not only enriched our films but has also set standards of excellence in acting. All my best wishes to him," Shah said.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also congratulated Chakraborty, tongue firmly in cheek.
"I am very hurt to know that Modiji didn't receive this award. Because he deserves this the most as he is the one who rules the world and nobody can act better than him," Khera said.
Congress leaders were not the only ones who took political pot shots.
"Mithun Chakraborty to receive Dadasaheb Phalke. Congratulations to artist Mithun da. Just a request, don't forget the days of Pranab Mukherjee's letter and effort to give you 'Padma Shri' after long neglect and also @MamataOfficial. Don't forget to send your acknowledgement to the Rajya Sabha," Trinamul Congress leader Kunal Ghosh wrote a post on X.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in a post on X, Majhi expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the legendary actor on receiving the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
"This honour is a well-deserved tribute to your remarkable five-decade journey in Indian cinema and your incredible range of versatile performances that have entertained audiences in India and captivated fans worldwide," the chief minister said.
Odisha’s Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik reminded his followers on X that Mithun had acted in odia movies as well.
"Congratulate versatile actor #MithunChakraborty on being selected to receive the prestigious #DadasahebPhalke Award. He has essayed many memorable roles on screen including in Odia cinema," Patnaik wrote on X.
"Congratulations to Shri Mithun Chakraborty on being conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award! Your remarkable contribution to Indian cinema and iconic performances has inspired generations. This recognition is a tribute to your talent, dedication, and legacy. Wishing you continued success," says the Union minister Pralhad Joshi.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, who worked with Chaklraborty on films such as ‘The Tashkent Files’ and ‘The Kashmir Files’, also wished him in an X post.
"CONGRATULATIONS DADA. Watch this master class performance by 3 times National Award and now Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner Padma Bhushan Mithun Chakraborty," he wrote, posting clips of some of Mithun’s films.
Mithun, whose real name is Gouranga Chakraborty, is an alumnus of Pune's Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) who has predominantly worked in Hindi and Bengali cinema.
He made his acting debut with Mrinal Sen's 1976 film ‘Mrigayaa’, for which he won his first National Award for best actor. He earned two more National Awards for 1992's ‘Tahader Katha’ (best actor) and 1998's ‘Swami Vivekananda’ (best supporting actor).
Chakraborty shot to stardom with his distinctive dancing style in the 1982 superhit ‘Disco Dancer’.
Then followed several hits like ‘Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye’, ‘Hum Se Hai Zamana’, ‘Pasand Apni Apni’, ‘Ghar Ek Mandir’, ‘Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki’ and ‘Commando’.
He was also praised for his role in the 1990 film ‘Agneepath’, also starring a certain Amitabh Bachchan.
A former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Chakraborty joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 Bengal state election.
The actor also served as the head judge or 'grandmaster' on the dance reality series ‘Dance India Dance’ from 2009 to 2018.
Before Mithun, Waheeda Rehman was named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2023.
