"dark-skinned actors wouldn't survive in Bollywood."
Mithun Chakraborty shared his experiences of prejudice due to colourism in the film industry.
The actor received the esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony.
The award, presented by President Droupadi Murmu, is the highest honour in Indian cinema, recognising lifetime achievements.
In his acceptance speech, Mithun opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career, particularly regarding his skin colour.
He revealed: “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 of allowing this prejudice to deter him, Mithun channelled his energy into honing his dancing skills.
He vowed to become so exceptional that audiences would overlook his skin tone.
This determination led him to embrace his identity as the “sexy, dusky Bengali babu”.
Mithun also reflected on the ups and downs of his career, recalling a pivotal moment after winning his first National Award.
He said: “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.”
Mithun emphasised that his success was not handed to him on a silver platter; everything he achieved was the result of hard work.
“I often questioned God for my struggles, but after receiving this award, I feel at peace and will never complain again.”
Affectionately known as Mithun Da by his fans, the actor made his film debut in 1976 with Mrigayaa.
He very quickly captivated audiences with his versatile acting.
Mithun’s portrayal of a Santhal rebel earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
He went on to win two more National Awards for Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998).
Mithun is also celebrated for his iconic dance numbers, including hits like ‘I Am a Disco Dancer’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’, and ‘Super Dancer’.
These have become timeless classics, loved by fans across generations.
His last Hindi film was Vivek Agnihotri’s critically acclaimed The Kashmir Files in 2022.
As Mithun Chakraborty shares his remarkable journey, his story serves as an inspiration, highlighting the transformative power of self-acceptance.
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