Mumbai: Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Mithun Chakraborty was once told that dark-skinned actors cannot survive in the film industry.
Today, the veteran artist is one of the most loved and successful actors in the industry, with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award under his belt for lifetime achievement in Indian Cinema.
“Many told me that dark-skinned actors wouldn’t survive in Bollywood. I prayed to God, ‘Could you change my colour?’ But eventually accepted that I couldn’t alter 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’,” Mithun said while delivering his acceptance speech at the 70th National Film Awards,
The 74-year-old actor further revealed that nothing came easy in life for him, and he had to work really hard to carve a niche for himself in the industry.
“I often questioned God for my struggles, but after receiving this award, I feel at peace and will never complain again,” said Mithun.
Success had initially got to his head, but he soon realised his mistake and became humble.
“I thought I had become Al Pacino. I began to treat producers dismissively. But reality hit when a producer kicked me out of his office. That day I realised I was not Al Pacino, and it marked the end of my delusions,” added Mithun.
He became a superstar after his dance numbers such as ‘I Am a Disco Dancer’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’ and ‘Super Dancer’ won the hearts of millions of fans.
On Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Mithun at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan.
