Mithun Chakraborty, the man who effortlessly balanced between art-house and mainstream cinema, has been awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in film. Chakraborty’s journey is a true rags-to-riches story, and as he humbly expressed, “I don’t have words. I cannot laugh or cry. This is truly an overwhelming moment, and I am still taking it all in.”
Born as Gouranga Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, in Kolkata, Mithun was the eldest child of Basanta and Shantimoyee Chakraborty. He was named after Lord Krishna, a name that would later change as part of his rise to fame. Despite his tough beginnings, Mithun’s early life was marked by his closeness to his mother, Shantimoyee. As noted by one of his nine biographers, Ram Kamal Mukherjee, Mithun was always a “momma’s boy” who performed a daily puja of Lord Shiva on his way to school, simply because his mother told him it was good practice for the family’s protection.
Mithun attended the prestigious Oriental Seminary, where Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore once studied, and later completed his B.Sc. degree in Chemistry from Scottish Church College, the same college as his idol, Subhash Chandra Bose. During his college years, he earned recognition as a singer, percussionist, mimic, and football player, while his father hoped he would become an engineer. Mithun even filled out an application for an engineering college, but his life took a drastically different turn.
In the late 1960s, Mithun became involved in student politics, which led him to join the Naxalite movement. However, he soon became disillusioned with the cause, and for the safety of his family and himself, he was forced to flee Kolkata. In September 1969, a fearful Gouranga left for Mumbai, a city he would eventually grow to love, recalling how the smell of dried fish in South Mumbai reminded him of home. Yet the shadow of his Naxal past followed him, even affecting his early attempts to find work in the film industry.
Life in Mumbai began with extreme hardship. Mithun spent nights at Dadar railway station and slept under water tanks in parks. His first friend in the city was producer Gautam Guha, son of veteran filmmaker Dulal Guha. His initial foray into Bollywood was a cameo in Dulal’s “Do Anjaane” (1976), starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. This relationship with the Guha family continued in other projects like “Boxer” (1984), “Sagar Sangam” (1988), and “Ilaaka” (1989), where he also made his singing debut.
Mithun’s astrologically advised name change from Gouranga to Mithun proved to be a lucky break. He joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, with his family’s support, graduating with a First Class degree in 1974. His time at FTII was transformative. Upon returning to Mumbai, Mithun faced rejection due to his dark complexion and unconventional looks, struggling even as a model. Nevertheless, he persisted and eventually joined Helen’s dance troupe, where he began to shine.
A turning point came when filmmaker B. Subhash spotted Mithun’s dance skills during a performance. This led to the creation of “Disco Dancer,” a film that would immortalize Mithun as India’s ultimate dance hero. Another significant mentor in Mithun’s life was Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who recommended him to Mrinal Sen for the role in “Mrigayaa” (1976). Although Mrinal Sen initially doubted Mithun’s abilities, the actor’s dedication impressed the filmmaker. Mithun even insisted on using a real hangman’s noose for an intense scene, which showcased his commitment to authenticity.
The film “Mrigayaa” earned Mithun his first National Award, making him the first Indian actor after Rishi Kapoor to win such an accolade for a debut performance. Rishi, however, won in the Best Child Actor category for “Mera Naam Joker” (1970). For “Mrigayaa,” Mithun was paid a modest sum of Rs. 500, but it was the start of a long and distinguished career.
In mainstream cinema, Mithun initially received small roles in films like “Mukti,” “Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan,” and “Do Anjaane.” His breakout role came with “Suraksha” (1979), where he played the character Gunmaster G-9. The film’s success propelled Mithun into the limelight, and it also marked the beginning of his collaboration with composer Bappi Lahiri. “Suraksha” ran for 50 weeks and introduced the first full-fledged disco song in Hindi cinema, “Mausam hai gaane ka.” This success was followed by a sequel, “Wardat.”
Mithun’s pairing with actress Ranjeeta in the films “Tarana” and “Suraksha” was another notable highlight, with the two appearing in about 15 films together. In 1980, Mithun also took on his first dual role in “Taxi Chor,” and revisited his Naxalite past with “The Naxalites” (1980), an offbeat film directed by K.A. Abbas.
Mithun’s personal life was equally eventful. He married actress Yogeeta Bali in 1982 in a quick registered ceremony. The couple worked together in films like “Khwab” and “Unnees Bees.” His first major mainstream hit came with “Hum Paanch” (1981), where he played Bhima. His natural talent shone through, and by 1982, Mithun reached superstardom with the release of “Disco Dancer.” This film not only dominated Indian cinemas but also became a massive hit in China, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and beyond, grossing Rs. 100 crore worldwide. Mithun followed it up with similar dance-centric films like “Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki” and “Dance Dance.”
Throughout the 1980s, Mithun continued to deliver hits, often in dance-heavy roles. However, he diversified his portfolio with roles in films like “Pyar Jhukta Nahin” (1985), his fourth consecutive Golden Jubilee hit, and films like “Muddat” and “Swarag Se Sunder.” He maintained an impressive streak, culminating in 1989 with a record 19 film releases, an achievement recorded in the Limca Book of Records.
In the 1990s, Mithun transitioned into more mature roles, winning a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in “Agneepath” (1990). He also struck up a fruitful partnership with director T.L.V. Prasad, although this period saw Mithun relocate to Ooty and focus on lower-budget action films, many of which flopped. Around this time, Mithun also ventured into hospitality, establishing the Monarch Hotel in Ooty.
Despite these ups and downs, Mithun remained a beloved figure, and his philanthropic work is well recognized. He founded the Cine and TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) and the Film Studios Setting & Allied Mazdoor Union to support struggling film workers. Politically, Mithun was elected as a Rajya Sabha member in 2014 with the Trinamool Congress but resigned in 2016 due to ill health. He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021.
Mithun’s contribution to Indian cinema is undeniable, with three National Awards and a body of work that spans across genres and languages. Even in recent years, he continues to entertain audiences with notable roles in films like “The Tashkent Files” (2019) and “The Kashmir Files” (2022). His legacy is also carried forward by his four children, Mahakshay, Ushmey, Namashi, and Dishani, as he continues to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike.