Mithunda complete’s his 70th Birthday and the world is yet to see a complete actor like him in Bollywood

Happy Birthday Mithunda! You will be evergreen forever

by M.Venkat Raman 

The World of Hindi Cinema, titled Bollywood gave us Great Actors like Sanjeev Kumar, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah and Great Stars like Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan but only one Actor who can be called Actor Star or Star Actor or the Complete Actor in the realm of Hindi and Bengali Cinema and he is Mithun Chakraborty – The only Actor in India to get the Best Actor National Award with his debut film - a record yet to be broken even after 44 years, despite of Bollywood evolving to a different paradigm.

Mithun Chakraborty the Grand Master of Bollywood - The Only Complete actor

In fact Kamal Hassan and Mithunda as he is lovingly called are the Two Complete Actor who established themselves successfully in art and commercial cinema and complete in every aspect of acting including dance and martial art. The Hindi Cinema can be divided into two eras before Mithun Chakraborty (BMC) and after Mithun Chakraborty (AMC) as he is the pioneer of professional Dance and Martial art in Bollywood. In fact both were supposed to share screen in John Jani Janardhan launched by Yash Johar and Mother Teresa planned by director Rajeevnath but both films got shelved.

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Mithunda among the legends , Image Courtesy The Indian Express

Mithun Chakraborty was born as Gouranga Chakraborty on 16th June,1950 (his birthday falls today) at Barisal, Bengal Presidency, British India to Basantokumar Chakraborty and Santirani Chakraborty, studied at Oriental Seminary and then earned his degree in Chemistry from Scottish Church College in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Came to Mumbai in the year 1969 to try his luck (this year he will be completing his 51st year in Mumbai, read the Golden Jubliee article on this site) , as usual Bollywood was running its dynasty game, getting an entry was very difficult, circumstances made him to travel to Pune, he realized the importance of learning the tricks of the skills. On his second attempt got through the rigorous process of getting admitted, completed his two year term and graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.

Yogita Bali and Mithun Chakraborty

He has been married to Yogeeta Bali since July 1982. They have four children - three sons and a daughter, namely Mahaakshay Chakraborty, , Ushmey Chakraborty , Namashi Chakraborty (his upcoming movie Bad Boy is due for release soon) and Dishani Chakraborty. She worked with Mithunda in 5 films starting with Khwab (1980), Unees-Bees(1980), Be-Shaque(1981), Karate(1983), Aakhri Badla(1989).Aakhri Badla is also dubbed in Bengali as "Swarna Trishna'.

Carrying their smiles Mithun, Mamta and Mrinal for Mrigayaa on winning the Best Film and Best actor Award in the year 1977

Mithun da was introduced to Hindi Cinema by Maestro Mrinal Sen in Mrigayaa (1976) for which he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor. He also won the BFJA Awards for Best Actor for his mind blowing debut. At the 24th National Film Awards, Mrigayaa won two awards—Best Feature Film and Best Actor. It also won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie apart from being nominated for the Golden Prize at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival in 1977. Acclaim's Actor Hemu Shetty " It was his sheer effort and brilliant potrayal that came through his immense depth in understanding the character and bridging himself completely with the director's understanding of the script that confered him this pedestal of the first actor to bring aspiring dreams to the global audience. Only an actor of his calibe with the 360° of vision towards the tribal-persona would be able to reach that mark. And it is a first of is delivery in the Bollywood till now for an debutant actor to get a National Award as the best actor in a stellar-role on its maiden film ". Soon he was roped in to play the tribal role similar as in Mrigayaa for the new film Chamelee Memsaab. He and Tom Alter played the stellar role with Abha Dhulia donning the titular character. Mithunda and Tom had spent a good time together as roomies in the FTII Students’ hostel at the FTII where both of them were Classmates, colleagues (both of them had worked together in more than seven movies) and his longtime friend.(read their friendship article in this site)

Rameshwari debuts in Mera Rakshak opposite Mithun Chakraborty

His first major successful commercial film was the 1978 film Mera Rakshak that came after doing few minor roles in films such as Do Anjaane (1976), Mukti (1977), and Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1978). This movie was also notable for Mithunda's unique skills in karate and his spontaneous dancing ability which made him stand distinct among the other leading actors. In the same year he starred in the two Bengali films Bansari(1978)  directed by Ashim Banerjee and Nadi Theke Sagare directed by Arabinda Mukhopadhyay co-starring  Soumitra Chatterjee, Sandhya Roy, Debashree Roy. The film was a major success at box office.  

Bhappi's high-beat in the opening song of the movie Surakshaa gave Mithun the needed boost and the  initial draw that glued the audience on the day one itself

He rose to stardom with the low budget spy film Surakshaa (1979), directed by Ravikant Nagaich. The film was so successful that many movies starring Mithunda in the lead were launched. Later this combination gave Sahhas (1981), Wardaat (1981), Laparwah (1981) and Tarkeeb (1984). Endorsing on the movie “ Surakksha became a global delight, Mithun swept the audience with his charm , acting and mesmerizing dance-steps keeping them glued to the screen. It was an action-cum-musical turnaround and wake call for the audience about the arrival of a complete new performer. Surakksha gave Mithun the mammoth platform that he deserved and had stove hard for this moment. Today if you look back you will realize that it's truly a Cult film that reinforced Bollywood and the emerging audience of the generation that a real and complete star had arrived and is here to stay forever” reminisces Vijay Upadhyay, a close buddy and a long time friend of Mithunda who has been with him since their struggling days and was very upbeat of this promising actor who was destined to become the icon of the generation. Today Vijay and Mithun are very close and most of his films and dates are managed by him, a friendship which has bonded over the time. 

From the year 1979 to 1985 saw lot of releases staring Mithun and Ranjeeta beginning from Surakshaa, which was one of the highest grosser in their first releases

Mithunda's had an inborn charisma, despite being  a newcomer and labelled as a struggler , he managed to create bridge with everyone he met for the first time , his smile was the biggest ice-breaker, that induced the bond of friendship with whomever he met. His reputation at the National Award winner for best acting had reached the corners of the Bollywood, despite being a struggler he always ensured to meet up with most of the film producers and Industry-wallah's during those days ,later with the release of Mera Rakshak (1978) ,they realized his talent and there began the process of his acceptance to the masses as the people's new Hero.

Stories in media during 80's were full of his ascent, professionalism and multiple shifts, during those days Mithunda used to sleep in studios at night to complete the next day morning shifts

His combination with Deepak Bahry also happened for the first time in 1979 with the Romantic film Taraana(1979) and they would go on to collaborate on six hit films together such as Hum Se Badkar Kaun(1981), Ustadi Ustad Se(1982), Hum Se Hai Zamana(1983), Woh Jo Hasina(1983), Deewana Tere Naam Ka(1987) and Humse Na Takrana(1990). He made a successful pair with Ranjeeta and they worked together in 23 films. Those days during his ascent, the stories in media were about how Mithun (after the day's shift) used to be in studios overnight, sleeping on makeshift units to ensure that he completes the next day's early morning shift to maintain the release deadlines. He was known to be perfectionist and wouldn't leave the set till the last shot was given to a perfect take.

Mithun Chakraborty along Rati Agnihotri , these two were also a hit pair in the 80's totalling to more than 15 films together

In the same year Prem Vivah(1979), directed by Basu Chatterjee established him in Hindi Cinema. Their association gave family films such as Shaukeen(1982), Pasand Apni Apni(1983), and Sheesha(1986) thus making Mithunda the only complete actor of Bollywood. He made a hit pair with Rati Agnihotri with whom he acted in 15 films. In Jeene Ki Arzoo(1981) and Ek Aur Sikander(1986) were the only movies where they was not paired opposite each other. Media was full of praises for his performance in Jeene Ki Arzoo as a brilliant delivery but his fans was disappointed as it  did not get even a single nomination in the Filmfare award.

Mithunda's histronic ability was so immense that made the veteran director to go out of the way to make this award winning movie

In 1980 he was directed by K.A.Abbas in The Naxalites(1980)  along with Smita Patil for the first time, it was screened at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival and won the Gold Award for direction in the National Award and going ahead together they worked in five commercial films. In the same year Kasturi(1980) directed by Bimal Dutta, starring Nutan, Mithun Chakraborty, Parikshit Sahni, Sadhu Meher and Shreeram Lagoo that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for 1978 also released. 

Through this movie, Mithunda had delivered his best performance as a caring brother winning the hearts of his beloved fans

In the 80s he associated with Bapu for the first time in the super-hit multi-starrer  Hum Paanch(1980) where he played the role of Bheema in the movie along with Sanjeev Kumar, Naseeruddin Shah, Raj Babbar , Amrish Puri and Shabana Azmi. Later they gave sensitive  meaningful and family oriented films such as Pyari Behna(1985), Prem Pratigyaa(1989), and Paramaatma(1994). All these films ran houseful, were commercially successful and critically acclaimed but none of those movies were nominated by Filmfare Awards, fans were questioning the authenticity of the award. Pyari Behna was a remake of Rajinikanth’s land mark film Mullum Malarum directed by J.Mahendran. In 1981 he worked with Vinay Shukla in his directorial venture Sameera(1981) co-starring Shabana Azmi, Parikshat Sahni and Amol Palekar. It was shown as part of the Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India in 1983 where it was appreciated by all who saw it. But the film remained unreleased till date.

Mithunda along with Parikshit and Amol Palekar in family drama film Sameera directed by his FTIImate Vinay Shukla 

In the same year he worked in the directorial venture of Uttam Kumar Kalankini Kankabati , a period drama , along with Sharmila Tagore, Supriya Choudhury, Asit Baran and Uttam Kumar. It was a blockbuster. Uttam Kumar's initiative and belief reinforces Mithunda's histrionic ability to a very large extent, being directed by this immensely popular and a very known personality itself is a great feat for an actor who had just stepped into the stardom in the 1980's.It is the only film where he shared screen with Mahanayak Uttam Kumar.

Kalankini Kankabati turned out be a blockbuster securing Mithunda's position in Bollywood and Tollywood, the only actor from Bengal to create this landmark

The year 1982 was the global moment when he shot to Super-Stardom with his most recognizable leading role in the musical Disco Dancer(1980), which extended Mithunda 's popularity across India and into Russia and established him as the first dancing star of Bollywood. It is the first 100 crore film of Bollywood a record again. The film's director Babbar Subhash teamed up with Mithunda in seven  films  - Taqdeer Ka Badshah(1982),  Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki(1984)), Aandhi-Toofan (1985), Dance Dance(1987) , Commando(1988) and Pyar Ke Naam Qurbaan(1990) which were also successful. Their last film Classic Dance of Love(2005) was not successful as the previous films. The USP of the film was Mithunda played the antagonist as well as the protagonist in the movie again a record in the History of Bollywood. In 1982 he also worked in the blockbuster Bengali film Troyee(1982).

Disco Dancer shattered all the beliefs and records, securing itself the first movie to cross 100cr globally and creating a huge market of Mithunda Lovers in the Russian countries

Before Aandhi-Toofan(1985) Mithunda worked with Shatrughan Sinha in Taqdeer(1983). Later both worked in five more films namely Sharara(1984), Hawalaat(1987), Hirasat(1987), Sagar Sangam (1988), and Hum Se Na Takrana(1990). It is also the first film Mithun Chakraborty and Zeenat Aman signed together. In Sharara(1984) Mithunda shared screen with Raaj Kumar for the first time. Later they worked in Saazish(1988) and Galiyon Ka Badshah(1989). He shared screen with Dev Anand in Swami Dada(1982) directed by the legend himself. Similarly Mithunda worked for the first time with Nana Patekar in Sagar Sangam(1988) and it is only film of both the National Award winning actors together. He also shared screen with First Super star Rajesh Khanna for the first time in Amar Deep (1979). Later he worked with him in Ashanti(1982), Disco Dancer(1982), and Nasihat(1986). Likewise he worked with Amitabh Bachchan in Ganga Jamanu Saaswati(1988) though he played  a small role in Do Anjaane.  

Pairing with Padmini in Pyar Jhukta Nahin gave a renewed life to Mithunda's career

Mithunda literally ruled Bollywood in the 1980s, with a stint of impossible heroics as he starred in over 110 releases in this decade ranging in variety of roles and numerous genres such as action, family drama, romance and comedy proving the tag of complete actor of Bollywood. His 1985 superhit movie Pyar Jhukta Nahin(1985) reconfirmed his top star status and introduced the romantic actor behind the Action and Dancing star though Rajshri production explored the romantic side of the actor in Taraana(1979) and Sun Sajna(1982). Prabhat Roy repeated the Mithunda and Padmini Kolhapure pair in the romantic film Hum Intezaar Karenge(1989) , totally they worked in 11 films together. Referring to the romantic movies, in fact Sitara(1980), a remake of K.Viswanath’s Telugu film Seetamalakshmi also explored the romantic side of the Actor, wherein one could see some intense scene he delivered with ease. Ram Gopal Verma’s  Rangeela was a remake of this masterpiece. Later K.Viswanath directed Mithunda in Jaag Utha Insan(1984) a remake of his Telugu  film Saptapadi (1981) that garnered the National Film Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.  Sridevi later worked with Mithunda in 3 more hit films. 

Once again Mithunda proves, he could fit into any role, director K Vishwanath seals this blockbuster

In 1985 he also worked with Shakti Samanta in the Bilingual Anyay Abichar  with the Hindi version titled Aar Paar  alongside Utpal Dutt. The director first associated with Mithunda in Khwab(1980). In both films Mithunda teamed with the National Award winner Utpal Dutt. Apart from this two films they worked together in 5 films including three films of Basu Chatterjee and Main Balwaan(1986). In the same year he made his Punjabi debut with Maujaan Dubai Diyaan  directed by Subhash C. Bhakri  along side Vinod Mehra. Apart from this Punjabi film they have worked together in 16 Hindi films starting with Amar Deep(1979) to Pyar Ka Karz(1990). This is again a record of two heroes working together. In the same year, he was also appreciated for his role as Javar in the JP Dutta film, Ghulami. 

Mithunda smashed a surprising headlines in the year 1986 as the highest tax payer in India,  which jolted the nation, he was compared with India's leading tax payers and the other traditional corporate honchos who was carrying the same news till now.Media went overboard describing his life-journey, upcoming movies and his incredible stories from rags-to riches titling ' Mithun moves from Mud to Mansion', that splashed across all the newspapers and magazines.

"Koi Shaq" that he would be the reigning complete acton , with Anita Raj in Ghulami

In fact JP Dutta  planned Sarhad(1976) with Mithunda, Vinod Khanna and Bindiya Goswami but it got shelved. Mithunda and Dharmendra had worked together in 14 films starting with Baazi (1984), Jagir (1984), Karishma Kudrat Kaa(1985), Main Balwaan(1986), Watan Ke Rakhwale(1987), Ilaaka (1989), Hum Se Na Takrana(1990), Pyar Ka Karz(1990), Trinetra(1991), Rakhwale(1994), Loha (1997), Sanyasi Mera Naam(1999), and Sultaan(2000). Though Rakhwale(1994) had both in special appearances and Dharmendra had a special appearance in Sanyasi Mera Naam(1999). 

Applause in the form of Whistles that sounded the theatre as the fans threw coins as Mithunda regaled over this scene

K.Bapaiah first associated with Mithunda in Ghar Ek Mandir(1984) and went on to direct 10 successful family and social films including Swarag Se Sunder(1986),  Muddat(1986), Pyaar Ka Mandir(1988), Waqt Ki Awaz(1988), Charnon Ki Saugandh(1988), Pyar Ka Karz(1990), Pyar Hua Chori Chori(1991), Pyar Ka Devta(1991) and Diya Aur Toofan(1995). In fact it was the last film of the director in Hindi. The other successful family dramas include Parivaar directed by Shashilal K. Nair, Aisa Pyaar Kahan(1986) ,Pyaar Ke Do Pal and  Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye(1983) directed by T.Rama Rao. He later directed Mithunda  in Ravan Raaj:A True Story(1995), Jung(1996), and Sautela(1999). 

Incidentally in Swarag Se Sunder(1986)  and Aisa Pyaar Kahan(1986)  he formed a hit pair with Jeetendra and they worked together in 6 films. Both Ravan Raaj:A True Story(1995), and Jung(1996),had Aditya Pancholi working with Mithunda and they worked together in 11 films from Ladaai(1989), Gunahon Ka Devta(1990),  Jodidar(1997), Military Raaj(1998), Devta(1998), Benaam(1999), Aaya Toofan(1999), Baghaawat – Ek Jung(2001),  and Gautam Govinda(2002). Ladaai(1989) and Aaya Toofan(1999) are dubbed in Bengali as Aami Nirdosh and Toofan.

Notable pair that came together numerous hits under the south banner

His comedies in this decade included Shaukeen(1982) , Pasand Apni Apni(1983) and Baat Ban Jaye(1986) and action films such as Jagir(1984), Jaal(1986), Dilwaala(1986), Watan Ke Rakhwale(1987), Jeete Hain Shaan Se(1988),  Ilaaka(1989), Daata(1989) and Guru(1989). Mithunda and Poonam Dhillon first worked in Main Aur Mera Haathi(1981) and were seen in 7 films together where they were paired opposite in 6 films. 

In fact Jaal and Guru was directed by Umesh Mehra who directed Mithunda in eight  films namely Ashanti(1982), Teri Baahon Mein(1984), Avinash(1986), Mujrim (1989), Shikari: The Hunter(1991) and Yaar Gaddar(1994). Another director who made action films with Mithunda is Raj.N.Sippy and include Boxer(1984) (Mithunda's home productions, co-produced by Gautam Guha and Vijay Upadhyay),  Baazi(1984), Pardesi(1993), Teesra Kaun(1994), Nishana (1995), and Zahreela(2001). 

Mithunda was part of the family drama flicks produced by South based production, seen above is with Jaya Prada

Mithunda is the Limca record holder for 19 movie releases as lead actor in the year 1989 and the record is still unbreakable in Bollywood even today. Most of movies in that year were super hits like Daata(1989), Ilaaka (1989), Mujrim(1989), Prem Pratigyaa(1989) opposite Madhuri Dixit and  hits like Ladaai(1989), Guru(1989) and Bees Saal Baad(1988) directed by Rajkumar Kohli. Later He directed Mithunda in Saazish(1989), and Pati Patni Aur Tawaif(1990).Year 1989 was an important era of Mithun and a record breaking year for Bollywood, the only year where movies of Mithunda as hero was released on the same time and clashing with each other, despite of such clashes most of the movies turned out to be super-bumper money churner. No other hero till now has been able to achieve such incredible achievement till now. Another record is the combination of Mithunda with Bhappida who worked together in 55 films starting new musical trend in Hindi cinema. 

Seen here with Madhuri Dixit , a perfect pairing which churned out numerable hits

He played dual roles for the first time in Taxi Chor(1980) and later played dual roles in several films such as Aamne Samne (1982) Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki(1984) and Rakta Bandhan(1984) (both the films got released in the same year), Param Dharam(1987),  Jeete Hain Shaan Se(1988), Ladaai(1989), Gunahon Ka Devta(1990), Paap Ki Kamaee(1990), Numbri Aadmi(1991), Swarag Yahan Narak Yahan(1991), Pardesi(1993), Paramaatma(1994),  Jallaad(1995), Hatyara(1998), Heeralal Pannalal(1999), Qaidi(2002), Mawali No.1 (2002), Gautam Govinda(2002). Also had an opportunity of playing a triple role in the film Rangbaaz(1996). His excellent performance in Swarag Yahan Narak Yahan(1991)  and Paramaatma(1994) did not even get a nomination in Filmfare. He holds the record for playing the highest number of double roles and a top-up of records within a record is that two films playing a double-role got released  in the same year i.e 1984, indeed he carried an immense trust of the producer to risk this initiative for his loyal audience.

Playing double role in Aamne Samne, Mithunda has played the highest number of double roles in Bollywood

One of Highlights of 90s were his association with Mukul S.Anand’s Agneepath(1990), which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. Mithunda’s first association with Mukul Anand was in Main Balwaan(1986). In the same year he returned to Bengali films with Shakti Samanta’s Andha Bichar a bilingual with the Hindi version titled Dushman(1990). 

Mukul S.Anand’s Agneepath, which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor

Agneepath released in 1990 is an Crime-Revenge-Drama-gangster movie directed by Mukul Anand. With impactful performance coming from the lead actors, it has grown into a strong cult film over the years. It is considered a milestone in Amitabh and Mithunda's career, and in the league of their list of all-time great movies. Amitabh Bachchan received his first National Film Award for Best Actor at the 38th National Film Awards for his performance. At the 36th Filmfare Awards, Mithun Chakraborty and Rohini Hattangadi won the Best Supporting Actor and the Best Supporting Actress respectively. The film became the tenth highest-grosser of 1990 and the audience was full of praise and appreciation for Mithun performance and is considered among the best till now.

Another awe-inspiring scene from Mukul S.Anand’s Agneepath, which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor

In 1992, Buddhadev Dasgupta directed  Mithunda  in the critically acclaimed Bengali film Tahader Katha(1992) that won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor. He also won the BFJA Awards for Best Actor.  In the same year he acted in six commercial Bollywood films. The film also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali . 

Tahader Katha(1992) that won him his second National Film Award for Best Actor

In 1993 Mahesh Bhatt directed him in Tadipaar(1993) and again worked with him in Naaraaz(1994) and both were successful at the box office. He also worked in the Prakash Mehra production Dalaal(1993) directed by Partho Ghosh. He later directed him in Jeevan Yudh(1997) and the Bengali film Rehmat Ali(2010). N. Chandra also associated with Mithunda in 1993 for Yugandhar(1993) but it failed. 

In 1995 Mithunda associated with T.L.V.Prasad for Jallaad(1995). The film was the remake of the Tamil film Amaithipadai, starring Satyaraj. The film stars Mithun Chakraborty in a double role, which won him Filmfare Best Villain Award and  Star Screen Award Best Villain. T.L.V.Prasad‘s name is included in Limca Book of Records, as one director doing so many numbers of films with one hero (Mithunda) without a break in a short span. They worked in 30 films including 4 Bengali films.

Jallad had Mithunda in a double role, this hit film also won him various awards including the Best Actor in a Negative role

He did 4 Bengali Films with Mitnunda namely Barood(2004) - remake of Tamil film Saamy, Devdoot (2005)- remake of Telugu movie Annayya, Dada(2005)-  remake of the 2002 Telugu film Indra and Chita (2008)- heavily inspired by Tatineni Rama Rao's Andha Kanoon(1983). All the four films were highly successful at the box office. T.L.V.Prasad was one of the prominent directors for Mithunda's popular Mithun's Dream Factory. In 1995 he also worked in the Bengali film Bhagya Debata where Rajinikanth made a special appearance. It was later dubbed into Hindi as Krantikari and released in Hindi belt in 1997. The film is yet to get released in Tamil Nadu due to legal hassles.  Mithunda also shared screen with the Superstar in the Ramesh Sippy directed Bhrashtachar(1989).  They are the two films, where Mithun Chakraborty and Rajinikanth co-starred. 

In 1997 he collaborated with Gautam Ghose for Gudia(1997). It is based on a play by Mahasweta Devi and it was screened in the UnCertain Regard section at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for 1996 in the 44th National Film Award. Mithun da in the role of a simple ventriloquist was simply awesome proving what a brilliant actor he is. In fact earlier he could not do Gautam Ghose's Paar (1984) as his character had to reduce his weight, which would have affected his umpteen commercial films at that time. In the same year he worked in eight commercial films.

Mithunda in Gudia, a 1997 Indian drama film directed by Gautam Ghose, that was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival

In 1998 he was directed by G. V. Iyer in Swami Vivekananda(1998). Mithun Chakraborty's acting in this film was widely appreciated and he won his third National Film Award. The first half of the four-hour film was gripping, especially with Mithun's superlative portrayal of Ramakrishna. The one-time heart throb, disco dancer and martial arts fighter in the role of Ramakrishna held the audience spell bound.In the same year he worked in fifteen commercial Bollywood films. He also made his Oddiya debut with Sahara Jaluchi (1998).

 Mithunda role as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa Dev in this film was widely appreciated and he won his third National Film Award, seen here is with Hema Malini essaying the role of goddess Bhavatarini

In the same year he worked in fifteen commercial Bollywood films. He also made his oddiya debut with Sahara Jaluchi(1998). In this decade he had another numerous releases with hits such as Shandaar,Gunahon Ka Devta, Pyar Ka Devta,Trinetra , Mere Sajana Saath Nibhana, Phool Aur Angaar, and Ahankaar.  Most of the heroines had a series of release, name any of the heroines, be it Rati Agnihotri, Padmini Kolhapure, Sridevi  and with Meenakshi Seshadri and it was a long series of  8 films working together like Aandhi Toofan, Main Balwan, Dilwaala, Parivaar, Bees Saal Baad, Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati, Pyar Ka Karz, and Shandaar.

Mithun and Meenakshi was paired in a series of 8 movies

Mithunda left the Mumbai based film industry in the early 1990s as he shifted his base at Ooty to concentrate on his hotel business. He set up a hotel in Ooty and chose to act only in films which were shot at Ooty and nearby locales. This strategy paid off as the film crew could stay in his hotel, The Monarch for discounted rates, and complete the film in a single schedule. These movies were profitable, but were often ignored by critics and were categorized as B Grade movies (low-budget films). He paid more tax than anyone else in the Bollywood film industry between 1995 and 1999 again a record yet to be broken. Industry and trade sources say that more than 50 films were produced from his Ooty base, which is also known as Mithun's Dream Factory. 

In 2000 he worked in the Bengali film Chaka(2000) co-starring Debashree Roy. With this film he returned to art house film after eight years and gave a brilliant performance. He worked in eleven B Grade films in the same year. In fact Debashree Roy worked with Mithun da in 13 Bengali films from 1978 to 2010 where they were paired opposite each other in 11 films.

Gripping tale of revenge, many of them have watched twice to see Mithunda's seething performance

In 2002 he associated with the critically acclaimed Rituparna Ghosh for Titli.  It won him the fourth National Award Nomination for his excellent performance as the Film Star. In the same year he worked in Prasanta Bal’s Ferari Fauj dubbed in Hindi as Hindustani Sipahi. He also worked in Bangali Babu and five B Grade films in the same year.

In 2003 he worked in his second Oddiya film Ae Jugara Krushna Sudama and it was a box office success. It is a remake of  Khudgarz . He worked in three Bengali films Guru, directed by Swapan Saha, Santrash and Rasta. directed by Bratya Basu. Guru is the remake of Tamil blockbuster Baashha starring Superstar Rajinikanth. 

A teenage crush film essayed by Konkana Sen, Mithunda plays a superstar , seen here with Aparna Sen

In 2007 Mithunda joined hands with Mani Ratnam for Guru. He was nominated Best Supporting Actor Filmfare for the mind blowing performance as the ruthless newspaper baron and deserves mention for the dignity which he brings to the part. The film was premiered in the Tous Les Cinemas du Monde (World Cinema) section of 2007 Cannes Film Festival. In fact he could not do Mani Ratnam's Tamil film Iruvar(1997) as his character had to crop his hair, which would have affected his other 15, films at that time. Incidentally this was the third Guru in which Mithunda acted in. He starred in the 1989 one and a Bengali film of the same title. 

Mithunda plays a media baron in the film Guru released in the year 2007

In  fact after the success of Guru, Swapan Saha directed Mithun da  in six more Bengali films - Coolie (2004), Hungama(2006), Abhimanyu (2006), MLA Fatakeshto(2006), Minister Fatakeshto(2007),  and Tiger(2007)- remake of Tamil film Ramanaa. Coolie (2004) marks the Bengali debut of Meghna Naidu and Nishita Goswami and it was later dubbed in Bhojpuri with same title. MLA Fatakeshto is loosely based on the Tamil movie Mudhalvan. Mithunda won the Anandalok Awards for Best Actor for his performance in Minister Fatakeshto.  It also won the Best film award. This combination was successful except Hungama.

MLA Fatakeshto is the tale of seven days of a small time goon who becomes an MLA

In 2005 Mithun da made a comeback to the mainstream Hindi film industry with Elaan after starring in low budget productions based at Ooty, known as Mithun's Dream Factory for a decade. It managed to do well and was an average grosser at the Box-office. Mithun da played a villain after 10 years since he played one in Jallad in 1995. It was directed by Vikram Bhatt who worked with him in Guneghar (1995). He worked with Salman Khan in Lucky: No Time for Love(2005) in supporting role. In the same year he worked in six Bengali films including Arjun Rickshawala, Chore Chore Mastuto Bhai- remake of 1973 Hindi movie Victoria No. 203, Shaktimaan and Yuddho co-starring  Debashree Roy, Jeet and Koel Mallick.  

Chingari was critically successful but declared a flop at box office however critics highly praised the performance of Mithunda and Sushmita Sen

In 2006 Mithunda associated with Kalpana Lajmi in  Chingaari . The film is based on the novel, The Prostitute and the Postman by Bhupen Hazarika. Later it was dubbed in Tamil as Peyar Thozil Dhasi. Chingaari was critically successful but declared a flop at box office; however critic highly praised the performance of Sushmita Sen and Mithun Chakraborty. In the same year he worked in four Bengali and Hindi films including Special appearance in Kachchi Sadak and Sun Zarra. His performance in Dil Diya Hai was appreciated.

Mithunda in Remo's first movie produced in Bengali film based on Chhau dance,a tribal dance form of Orissa and West Bengal

After choreographing songs in more than 100 films in last eight years, Remo D'Souza turned director with Lal Pahare'r Katha which has been screened at the Dubai International Film Festival. Lal Pahare'r Katha was released in 2007, but not in India. Remo said "I made my first Bengali film based on Chhau dance - a traditional Indian tribal art form and won lot of appreciation for it in countries like US, Germany etc, but in India, nobody released that film because no one wants to watch Indian classical forms." In the same year he acted in four Bengali films including an all-time record blockbuster hit movie Tulkalam and superhit Mahaguru. Tulkalam directed by Haranath Chakraborty is a political action film, it is based on land scam in West Bengal. It is an all-time record blockbuster hit movie in the Bengali film industry. 

Mithunda creates an all-time record blockbuster with this political action film, which still holds the record in the Bengali film Industry

In 2008 Mithunda associated with his favourite Buddhadev Dasgupta for Kaalpurush(2005). The film won National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2006 and Mithunda being nominated for best actor category. It was the 5th National Award Nomination. The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The script essays an father-son relationship, played excellently by Mithunda and Rahul Bose

In the same year he acted in six Hindi films including Don Muthu Swami directed by Ashim Samanta , three Bengali films including the double role film Satyameba Jayate. Mithunda also made his Bhojpuri debut with Bhole Shankar. The film took the biggest opening for a Bhojpuri film and is considered as the biggest Bhojpuri hit. The film got very good response even from Non-Bhojpuri speaking audience and film was running well after one year in many parts of Northern India.  

Bhole Shankar had a biggest opening for a Bhojpuri film when it was released in 2008 and is considered as the biggest Bhojpuri hit

His 2009 movie Zor Lagaa Ke...Haiya!(2009)  Won multiple International awards. 'Zor Laga Ke Haiya' is beautiful film. Debutant Director Girish Girija Joshi makes a film with noble intentions, and the message is really effective. "Save Our Tress" says the film, and after watching the honest attempt you actually support the issue. Mithun's portrayal of a beggar, who helps the children in their cause received lot of appreciation It won four film festival awards .  Chal Chalein was appreciated by critics for its bold theme. It is a story about the academic pressures on children in India.

The film was widely accepted  winning four international awards and had attracted national attention for its environmental message of save our trees

The critically acclaimed Phir Kabhi with Dimple Kapadia had a première through a direct to home (DTH) release in September 2009 and won as many as six awards in as many categories at the Los Angeles Reel Awards of 2009. In the same year he worked with Akshay Kumar in Chandni Chowk to China  for the first time and Sanjay Dutt in Luck his third film with him. Mithun da and Dimple worked together in 6 films.

Phir Kabhi tells the story of two high school sweethearts who rekindle their romance at a school reunion decades later at their old age

In 2010 Gaurav Pandey directed Mithunda in Shukno Lanka. Shukno Lanka won him, the Best Actor award in the Critics category of Star Jalsa Awards 2011 for the year 2010 for the mind blowing performance as Chinu Nandi. The film has allusions to the works of Ritwik Ghatak and Satyajit Ray, and even the character played by Sabyasachi Chakrabarty has apparent similarities with Ray. Mithunda also worked in 4 more Bengali films including the Bangladeshi film  Golapi Ekhon Bilatey written and directed by Amjad Hussain, Handa And Bhonda and special appearance in Target: The Final Mission. He also worked in Veer(2010) with Salman Khan and Golmaal 3 (2010), with Ajay Devgn. It is an adaptation of Basu Chatterjee's 1978 movie Khatta Meetha. Mithunda was nominated for his excellent performance in Zee Cine Awards and International Indian Film Academy Awards in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Shukno Lanka is based on a story of a tinsel town Junior artist , played by Mithun Chakraborty, who is yet to taste success after a struggle of 30 years of acting career

In 2011 Mahesh Manjrekar associated with Mithunda for Ami Shubhash Bolchi. This movie is the Bengali version of Manjrekar's earlier original Marathi film along the same lines called Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy. The movie was critically acclaimed by the critics. Mithun Chakroborty's performance was praised by all. The film went on to be an average grosser in box office. He also made a special appearance as himself in F.A.L.T.U, his only Hindi film that year.

Mithunda says "I have done nearly 350 films and this is my boldest film, ever"

Looking at the variety of roles in the body of Mithunda's films , numerous list of achievements , breakthroughs in Bollywood , his entry with a unique style of dance and action, entry in this dynasty protected industry , without any Godfather, struggling under penury circumstances, gate-crashing the dynasty culture that still reigns, three times National Award winner along with a record of gaining a National Award for a best actor on his maiden film (a title that is applicable only for a complete actor) , unspoken philanthropic contributions and heading the two conflicting Cine association during his hey-days . All this is truly a humongous feat only a person with heroic task will be able to undertake, which is why Mithunda is called the Grand Master. His journey till now epitomes that he is the Sovereign Grand Master of Bollywood.

In 2012 he was directed by Suman Ghosh in Nobel Chor(2012). The film was officially selected for the BFI London Film Festival. Mithun da was appreciated for his marvellous performance. There are handful of actors in India who can act through their eyes too and MithunDa tops the list. He also worked in the Comedy Le Halwa Le. The film is the remake of successful Malayalam-language film Poochakkoru Mookkuthi directed by Priyadarshan, who again remade the film in Hindi-language as Hungama later.In the same year he did 3 films with Akshay Kumar, Housefull 2, OMG – Oh My God! and Khiladi 786. OMG – Oh My God! won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 60th National Film Awards and  Mithunda’s performance as Leeladhar Swamy was applauded by the critics and audience. In 2013 he associated with Akshay Kumar for the fifth time in Boss, though Mithun da’s performance was appreciated the film failed. 

Nobel Chor released in 2012 explores contemporary India at its fullest The film was officially selected for the BFI London Film Festival

In 2014 he worked with Akshay and Salman in Entertainment and Kick respectively. This is sixth association with Akshay and fourth association with Salman. The later was declared a blockbuster. In the same year Mithun da collaborated with Subhash Ghai for the second time in Kaanchi: The Unbreakable. His performance was appreciated but the film failed.

Inspite of miniscule role in the OMG, Mithunda stood tall with his exemplary performance

In 2015 Mithunda worked under the direction of Samir Chanda in Ek Nadir Galpo: Tale of a River. Ekk Nadir Galpo is taken from adaptation of short stories of Sunil Gangopadhay. The film was India's entry for the Asian, African and Latin American competition segment of the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held in Goa, 2007. Critics appreciated director Samir Chanda and lead actor Mithun Chakraborty, mentioning it as one of his career's best performances. 

Media lauded the movie (Ek Nadir Galpo) as a visual masterpiece that holds you and glues not only to your seat, but also to the silver screen

In the same year he worked in Naxal directed by Debaditya Bandyopadhyay. Again Mithunda proved what a brilliant actor he is. He also worked in the Hindi film Hawaizaada and Bengali pot-boiler Herogiri along with Dev. It is a remake of the 2013 Telugu movie Balupu and Mithunda’s performance and strong screen presence was appreciated. 

Once again portraying a Naxalite, Mithunda delivers his best

He made his telugu debut with Gopala Gopala - Remake of Hindi film OMG – Oh My God! and Tamil debut with Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka- a bilingual in Tamil & Telugu. Behindwoods lauded actor Mithun Chakraborty saying "Mithun Da anchored the film on one side with his mightiness". 

Mithun chakraborty debuts in Tamil movie through Yagavarayinum Naa Kaakka

After a break of two years in 2018 he associated with Anil Sharma in Genius but it failed. In the same year he worked in two Bengali films Jole Jongole directed by Nitish Roy, who was the production designer for the Hollywood horror film Crocodile 2: Death Swamp and Golmaal directed by Narayan Roy. Jackie Shroff shared screen with Mithunda in 10 Hindi films starting from Shatranj(1993) though he played a small role before that in Swami Dada. He also made his Kannada debut with The Villain. He played ACP Brahmavar in a cameo appearance. 

In 2019 he worked with Vivek Agnihotri in The Tashkent Files and it was  box-office sleeper hit of the year. It brought back two Great Actors of India. Incidentally, the two veterans had already worked together in four films Khwab(1980), Hum Paanch(1981), Swami Dada(1982), and Ghulami(1985). His forthcoming films are Hason Raja- Bengali film directed by Ruhul Amin and Hindi Project Geher directed by Ram Gopal Varma and Bhootiyapa directed by Manoj Sharma.

As the secret files of The Tashkent gets revealed, Mithunda's performance grows stronger

Mithunda has appeared in more than 576 films a record that will remain unbroken for decades including 52 Bengali films. He has worked in Eight Languages - Bengali, Hindi, Odia, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Punjabi. He has created many records and won many awards in his career that remain unbroken.  He has five National Award Nomination from 1976 to 2008  -  four in Best Actor Category and One in Supporting Actor and won two National Award as Best Actor in 1976 and 1992 and one as Supporting Actor in 1995. He along with Nana Patekar and Naseeruddin Shah are three Actors who won National in two categories.  Further Mithunda and Mammootty are two actors who won National Award in two languages.  Both remains a record. Ten of Mithunda’s film had won National Award for Best films while 13 of his films are screened in International Film Festival, the highest for any commercial Actor in India.

Mithunda being felicitated on important occassions

He has won two Filmfare award in 1991 and 1996 from three nominations. The other awards won include Screen Award in 1996, BFJA Awards in 1977 and 1995, Anandlok Awards in 1999 and 2007 and Star Jalsa Award in 2011. In 2007, Stardust has awarded him the Life Time Achievement award and Role Model of the year. In 2010 Guinea-Bissau issued postal stamp in Mithun Chakraborty's honour. But it is shocking that the Indian Government is yet to give him the Padma Award. The Television show Dance India Dance where Chakraborty is the Grandmaster has already been entered in Limca Book of Records and Guinness World Records.. 

Mithunda's forthcoming movie 12'O'Clock directed by Ram Gopal Varma

His forthcoming films are Hason Raja- Bengali film directed by Ruhul Amin and Hindi Project 12'O'Clock directed by Ram Gopal Varma and Bhootiyapa directed by Manoj Sharma.

 

American writer Sara Johnson has written a book independently titled 

“A tribute to Mithun Chakraborty”.  This is my tribute to the Complete Actor of India celebrating his 70th Birthday   on 16th June, 2020.

Inputs by Actor Hemu Shetty

With Love,

M.Venkat Raman 

MBA (Marketing) & SAP SD

An ardent Mithunist, Blogger, HR and Training Professional with more than two decades of experience in various facets of Corporate life, his other interest include reading, movies, music and spirituality. Being a social media enthusiasts he runs various pages about his interests in Facebook.

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