President Droupadi Murmu Tuesday conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award upon veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest award conferred in India in the field of cinema.
In his speech at the award ceremony, the actor recalled his struggle and complex with dark skin which he finally combated with his dancing skills.
“But eventually I accepted that I couldn’t change 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,'” he said drawing applause from the distinguished audience.
He recalled how his National Award in the very first film made him think he had arrived as an actor but soon with repeated failures to bag roles made him realise where he stood.
“I thought I had become Al Pacino. I began to act like him. But reality hit when a producer kicked me out of his office. That day, I realised I was no Al Pacino, and it marked the end of my illusion about myself,” he shared much to the amusement of the audience at the ceremony.
He urged all young men and women aspiring to be actors to not give up on their dreams and continue to struggle.
“Never stop dreaming. Remember, when you go to sleep, don’t let your dreams sleep. If I can do it, so can you,” he said.
In his initial reaction, Chakraborty told ANI, “I don’t have words. Neither I can laugh nor cry tears of joy. This is such a huge thing for someone like me who rose from nowhere literally. I could not have imagined this. I am extremely happy. I dedicate this to my family and my fans across the world.”
The veteran actor, who has three National Awards under his belt, was conferred India’s third-highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan in January 2024.
Chakraborty made his debut with maestro Mrinal Sen’s Mrigayaa in 1976. His portrayal of a Santhal rebel in Mrinal Sen’s film earned him the national accolade.
Chakraborty gained significant popularity in the 1980s with his role in Disco Dancer (1982), a film that became a major success both in India and internationally, establishing him as a dancing sensation.
He became a household name with his iconic role in Disco Dancer, a film that not only showcased his exceptional dancing skills but also popularized disco music in Indian cinema.
His performance in Agneepath also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990.
Later, he won two more National Film Awards for his roles in Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998).
Over his extensive career, Chakraborty has acted in more than 350 films across various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, and Telugu.
He is known for his diverse performances, ranging from action to drama and comedy, and has won several awards, including three National Film Awards for Best Actor.
