Born on June 16, 1950, in Barisal, Bangladesh, as Gouranga Chakraborty, Mithun Da has transcended the ordinary to become an enduring icon, celebrated not only for his distinctive dance moves but also for his versatile performances across genres. Mithun Chakraborty’s journey began with his groundbreaking role in Mrigayaa (1976), where he portrayed a tribal hunter and won the National Film Award for Best Actor. For his roles in Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998), he went on to win two more National Film Awards.
Mrigayaa marked the start of a prolific career that would see him star in over 300 films. His defining role in the 1982 classic Disco Dancer catapulted him to international fame, particularly in the former Soviet Union, where the film became a cultural phenomenon. His iconic dance moves earned him the title of ‘Disco Dancer of Bollywood.’ Mithun Da is not just a cinematic icon; he is a multi-talented individual holding a black belt in martial arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. His diverse skill set and dedication to his craft set him apart in an industry where many strive but few achieve such lasting success.
His influence extends beyond the screen, as seen with the comic book inspired by his character Jimmy from Disco Dancer, which captured the imaginations of fans even in the U.S. His record of 19 movie releases in a single year (1989) remains unbroken in Bollywood, further solidifying his legacy.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Mithun showcased his extraordinary talent in films like Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Dance Dance, and Agneepath, where his performances combined action, drama, and comedy with an undeniable flair for dance. He revolutionised dance in Indian cinema, with songs like I am a Disco Dance becoming timeless anthems.
In recognition of his illustrious career and impact on Indian cinema, Mithun recently received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This honour is a testament to his artistry, perseverance, and the profound connection he shares with his audience, who have embraced him as a beloved figure of the masses.
As we celebrate his Dadasaheb Phalke Award win, we reflect on Mithun Chakraborty’s extraordinary journey—a journey marked by groundbreaking performances, iconic dance sequences, and a unique ability to connect with audiences around the world. Mithun Da is not just a star; he is a cultural phenomenon, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Here’s looking at some of the best films over the years.
Mrigayaa (1976)
Director: Mrinal Sen
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Mamta Shankar
Set in the ’30s, Mrigaaya starred Mithun Chakraborty as a tribal who is considered one of the finest hunters around, even by the British. He’s sent to gallows after he’s found guilty of killing the moneylender who had kidnapped his wife, played by Mamta Shankar. His death, however, sparks a streak of revolt among the common folk who unite against both the British as well their zamindar oppressors. Mithun carried the film on his shoulders and deservedly won the National Award for Best Actor for the film. It also won Mrinal Sen a National Award for Best Film. The film marked the debuts of both Mithun and Mamta. While it didn’t do commercially back then, today it is counted as a classic. Its cinematography and Mithun’s realistic acting came in for a lot of praise.
Surakksha (1979)
Director: Ravikant Nagaich
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Ranjeeta, Jeevan, Jagdeep, Iftekhar, and Aruna Irani
Surakksha turned Mithun into a star. The film was followed by a sequel Wardat. The film had him playing an agent of the CBI with a codename Gunmaster G9. He tries to expose a mysterious organisation called SSO. He’s assigned by his bosses to find a missing colleague and he is joined in the mission by Jagdeep — who provides the laughs — and Ranjeeta, whose father was killed by the goons and she’s looking for revenge. Some of the scenes of the film were straight lifts from Sean Connery’s James Bond films and some were copied from Bruce Lee movies. It was all good campy fun. The film had the hit Mausam hai gaane ka song composed by Bappi Lahiri and sung by Bappi da himself.
Taraana (1979)
Director: Deepak Bahry
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Ranjeeta, Bhagwan Dada, Om Shivpuri, Jagdeep, Shreeram Lagoo, Jayshree T
In Taraana, one of the highest-grossing films of 1979, Mithun is paired with Ranjeeta, with whom he had a successful pairing in several films. It’s a musical love story of star-crossed lovers and contains some lovely songs like Sultana sultana mera naam hai sultana, sung by Usha Mangeshkar, and Gunche lage hain kehne, Meri dilruba tujhko aana padega, both sung by Shailendra Singh. The music was given by Raam Laxman. Shyam (Mithun Chakraborty) son of Thakur Gopal Singh (Om Shivpuri) comes across Radha/ Rani (Ranjeeta Kaur). She belongs to a nomad tribe, who are currently living on the land provided by Thakur Gopal Singh. Both of them fall in love and Rani tells her father Rana (Shreeram Lagoo) that she loves Shyam and wants to marry him. Rana’s marriage proposal is rejected by Thakur, leading to all sorts of complications and heartburn before the situation rights itself. It was a lost-and-found formula film with plenty of twists and melodrama and was well received by the audience.
Wardat (1981)
Director: Ravikant Nagaich
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Kajal Kiran, Iftekhar, Jagdeep, Kalpana Iyer, Shakti Kapoor
Wardat was one of the first sequels ever attempted in Bollywood. Ranjeeta was replaced by Kajal Kiran and Kalpana Iyer and Shakti Kapoor played a villain named…Shakti Kapoor. The film was way ahead of its times when it came to plot possibilities. It had genetically modified locusts wreaking havoc on Indian crops, as well as citizens. Modified wheat and rice whose consumption upped your libido, babies wired to machines who would grow up to be a slave army and a hideout straight out of Egypt. Whoever thought of it all was a genius. Our hero Gunmaster G9 (Mithun Chakroborty) moonlighted as a dancer in a nightclub because CBI only pays so much. He’s a secret agent but his car had a Gunmaster G9 logoi. Hmm…Lots of OTT action and stunts copied from Hollywood films later, Gunmaster and his gang managed to subdue the chief villain — who looked like he had walked straight out of a horror film — and his gang and saved the world yet again. Phew!
Disco Dancer (1982)
Director: Babbar Subhash
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty
Anil (Mithun Chakraborty) is an artist who earns his livelihood by performing on the streets. He and his mother are wrongly accused of stealing a guitar by P.N Oberai and the two leave Mumbai out of shame and settle in Goa. Sam Oberoi, the spoiled brat of P.N Oberoi is a big name in the music world. David Brown, his manager, quits his job due to his arrogant behaviour and challenges him. He tells Sam that he will create a new star who will replace him. One day, he notices Anil and convinces him to become his manager after which he changes his name to Jimmy. Jimmy starts gaining popularity in Goa, so David arranges for a show in Mumbai. This does not bode well with P.N Oberoi and his son Sam. They even decide to send goons to try and stop him from performing but somehow Jimmy manages to perform and becomes a hit. Mithun styled himself on John Travolta in the film and the plot points of the film too were kind of inspired by Saturday Night Fever. The music is one of the best parts of the movie. The song “I am a Disco Dancer” is still hugely popular and has earned the status of an iconic Bollywood song. Other hits include Yaad aa raha hai, Jimmy jimmy jimmy, and Koi yahan nache nache. It ran to packed houses in Soviet Russia and turned Mithun into an international star.
Boxer (1984)
Director: Raj N Sippy
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Rati Agnihotri, Sharat Saxena, Parikshit Sahni, Danny Denzongpa, Tanuja
Mithun went the Rocky route with this one. He really looked like a boxer in the film and the boxing scenes felt genuine. The film actually had a nice story of a father’s shattered dreams being realised by the son. Dharma (Danny Denzongpa) is a talented boxer who loses a crucial bout and his life takes a downward turn from then on. His son Shankar (Mithun Chakraborty), who has the potential to be a boxer, ends up being a thief. Shankar is jailed and meets a top-notch boxing coach, Tony Braganza (Parikshat Sahni), who promises to make him the champion. Circumstances forced Shankar to quit boxing, however. He takes it up again to save the life of his younger brother and fights for the big prize money despite being injured in his eye. The film had good music by RD Burman. The Shadmani song from the film is still remembered today.
Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985)
Director: Vijay Sadanah
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Padmini Kolhapure
It was a remake of the Shashi Kapoor starrer Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973) and followed the rich girl meets poor boy pattern. Preeti (Padmini Kolhapure) is a rich girl who falls in love with photographer Ajay (Mithun Chakraborty) who belongs to the middle class. Her father (Danny Denzongpa) doesn’t like him and sows misunderstanding among them even after marriage. She gives birth to a child but her father tells the husband she doesn’t want the child as she needs a new life and tells the daughter her child has died. She loses her mental equilibrium and later, upon meeting a child, gains some stability. It appears that her young friend is her own long-lost son and soon, she reunites with her husband and resolves misunderstandings. It was a highly emotionally charged film. Cinegoers took to it despite the melodramatic content because of stable performances by the leads. Mithun’s and Padmini’s pairing got well-liked.
Agneepath (1990)
Director: Mukul Anand
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Mithun Chakraborty, Madhavi, Neelam Kothari, Rohini Hattangadi and Danny Denzongpa
Agneepath was a violent film about revenge. Vijay Deenanath Chavhan (Amitabh Bachchan) vows to set right the name of his father master Deenanath Chavhan (Alok Nath). He plays a long game and becomes a gangster who rises up in the hierarchy before challenging the might of Kancha Cheena (Danny Denzongpa). Mithun played a supporting role in the film but his portrayal of Krishnan Iyer (M.A.) endeared himself to the masses. He saves Vijay’s life by taking him to the hospital in time and becomes the bodyguard of his sister Shiksha (Neelam) and later falls in love with her. His accent and mannerisms as Krishnan were a counterfoil to Bachchan’s brooding Vijay. The film earned him a Best Supporting Actor Award at the National Awards.
Jallaad (1995)
Director: T. L. V. Prasad
Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Moushumi Chatterjee, Rambha, Madhoo, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Sonu Walia, Prem Chopra, Yunus Parvez
Mithun enacts a double role in the film. He plays the main villain Amavas and the villain’s righteous son Shakti who is a police inspector. The film’s multi-layered plot touches on politics, childhood abandonment, and revenge. The film shows the moral downfall of a man, who, corrupted by the greed of power and riches, keeps making one compromise after other till he’s beyond redemption. Mithun excelled in the role of the villain Amawas. His elder self was leagues ahead of his younger avatar of the inspector. It was perhaps the first time he was playing an out-and-out negative role and excelled in it. He was awarded the Filmfare Best Villain trophy for his performance.
Swami Vivekananda (1998)
Director: G. V. Iyer
Cast: Sarvadaman D. Banerjee, Mithun Chakraborty, Debashree Roy, Mammootty, Jayaprada, Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Raakhee
Mithun Chakraborty played saint Ramakrishna Paramahamsa in the film. Mithun’s realistic portrayal of Ramakrishna was widely appreciated and he won his third National Film Award for the film. Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was Vivekananda’s spiritual guru. Mithun looked and behaved like an ascetic in the film. One didn’t know where the actor ended and the character began. The humility, the divinity of Paramahamsa was very much evident in Mithun’s straight from the heart performance. It’s said he considers it his best role.
