I'm literally dumbfounded, says Mithun Chakraborty upon receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Mithun Chakraborty, 74 years old, a veteran Bollywood film star and a politician will soon be awarded with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in the course of the Indian film industry. On October 8, 2024, during the 70th National Films Awards Ceremony, he will be presented the award.
This quote was given by Ashwini Vaishnaw, who as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting also reported to head the announcement on X. In his post, Vaishnaw praised Chakraborty Mithun’s commitment to the Indian Film Industry and said California and America both: “Mithun Da’s life in cinema spans across many generations. Am happy to say that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has been fortunate me to announce that great actor of India, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been awarded for legendary contributions to Indian Cinema.’
In 2023 as well Mithun received the Padma Bhushan Award for the contribution made by him in Indian cinema. His first acting role was in the National Award-winning movie, Mrigayaa which was made in 1976 by Mrinal Sen as he won his first National Film Award for acting.
The renowned Indian actor Mithun Chakraborty was born in Kolkata. He won two more National Film Awards for Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998). His real breakthrough came from the film Disco Dancer in 1982, which made him a superstar. In the 1990s he continued enchanting his viewers with films like Agneepath. Recently he was seen in a film called The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri.
In addition to acting, Mithun Chakraborty has also been a part of television, judging many reality shows that his fans have come to love. His son Namashi’s film career began when he debuted in the Bollywood film Bad Boy.
He added, "I'm literally dumbfounded. Trust me, I can neither smile nor cry from happiness because a man from literally nowhere, a nobody, has made it. This proves what I always tell my fans and those who aren't financially strong: if I can make it, then you can too."
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the news on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote, "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. To be presented at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on Oct 8, 2024." The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the country's highest film honour and is given by the government."
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award which was created in tribute of the master of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke in 1969 is given out each year during the National Ceremony of Awards for Film in India. The most highlighted work of Phalke is considered to be the first Indian feature movie, Raja Harishchandra, which was produced in 1913. Mithun Chakraborty will be the 54th recipient of this award who has ruled in this field earlier as Prithviraj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra and many others.
The award is apt to honor Mithun Chakraborty who adds one more feather in the golden cap of Bollywood to his achievements which have spanned close to five decades and inspired numerous actors and filmmakers in the working of the film industry.
