Kolkata: "Being grown as a boy from a blind alley I am indeed speechless after being named for the prestigious award and I don’t know how to express this," veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty reacted after being named for the award.
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on X that Chakraborty would be conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke award at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mithun Chakraborty.
"I don't know how to express this. I can’t cry, I can’t smile either. I am dedicating this award to my family and fans across the world,' Chakraborty said. "
Actor and dancer Mamata Shankar, who co-acted with the 74-year-old veteran actor in Mrinal Sen directed Mrigayaa in 1977 said ''my joy knows no bounds' after Mithun Chakraborty's name was announced for the award. I felt as if I had received the award.
"He was quite frustrated after his debut film as he was not getting much opportunity at that time. But I always supported him with assurances that the day would come for him and that came true over time," Mamata Shankar said.
Born as Gouranga Chakraborty on 16 June 1950 in a blind alley in Kolkata, Mithun is the second Bengal actor to receive the Indian motion picture highest award, after Soumintra Chatterjee in 2011.
Already received three National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards, in January 2024, Chakraborty was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour, and a record holder in the Limca Book of Records for acting as lead actor in 19 movies in a single year in 1989, and the record is still unbroken in Bollywood.
"Maybe this is the time for me to receive such an award and I tell everybody to never be disheartened in life. If I can make it, everybody can make it," the former Rajya Sabha member said.
He said there were many talented actors and actresses but due to financial constraints they became frustrated, " But no loss of heart, keep on and carry on and time will come for them if I can make it you all can make it, the 74-year-old actor said.
BJP state President Sukanta Majumder took to X on Monday to say, “Congratulations, Mithun Da, on your extraordinary cinematic journey! From the impactful Mrigayaa to the iconic Disco Dancer, your unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema has left an indelible mark.” He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “recognising (his) brilliance”.
Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari also said on X, “Heartiest Congratulations to Legendary Actor; Shri Mithun Chakraborty for being conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This is an appropriate recognition of your five-decade-long journey in Indian Cinema and a sensational range of versatile performances that have not only entertained Indian audiences but amazed people from the world over.”