Actor Mithun Chakraborty
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi: Iconic actor Mithun Chakraborty, a national award winner who acted in films Mrigayaa, Surakshaa and Disco Dancer, was on Monday chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his "artistic prowess" as well as his "enduring legacy as a compassionate and dedicated individual" who has made a difference in the lives of many.
The 74-year-old actor-politician was chosen for the award named after the father of Indian cinema by a three-member jury of senior film personalities Asha Parekh, Khushboo Sundar and Vipul Shah. The award will be presented to him at the National 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was delighted that the Bengali actor was chosen for the award for his "unparalleled contributions" to the Indian cinema and described him as a "cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances".
Announcing the selection of Chakraborty for the award, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said "Mithun-da's remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations" and his "journey from a young man with humble beginnings to a celebrated film icon, embodies the spirit of hope and perseverance, proving that with passion and dedication, one can achieve even the most ambitious dreams".
Chakraborty, who won three national awards for best actor, said he was am dedicating this award to his family and fans across the world. "My journey was not served on a platter. Every day was a struggle for me," he said when asked about the highest recognition in Indian cinema.
Recognised for his "versatile roles and distinctive dancing style", an official statement said he has taken on a diverse range of roles in his movies, showcasing action-packed characters to poignant dramatic performances.
Born Gourang Chakraborty in Kolkata, he was chosen as the Best Actor in the National Film Awards in his debut film Mrigayaa (1976) directed by Mrinal Sen in which he played a Santhal rebel. He won two more National Film Awards for his roles in Tahader Katha' (1992 -- best actor) and Swami Vivekananda (1998 -- best supporting actor). His performance in Agnipath also won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990.
An alumnus of the Pune-based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), his role in Disco Dancer (1982) established him as a dancing sensation. In his career, he has acted in more than 350 films across various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri and Telugu.
A former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP, he also dabbled in politics and later joined the BJP in 2021 ahead of the 2021 West Bengal Legislative Assembly election.