Bengal's hearthtrob "Disco Dancer" gets Dadasaheb Phalke Award - Mithun Da is greeted by PM as "Cultural Icon "- Overwhelmed, Dumbfounded and I dont know whether to laugh or cry, he says.

 

'

Bengals cultural icon and a 1st rate actor Mithun Chakraborty is conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the government – PM Modi calls him a “Cultural Icon” - Mithun says he’s overwhelmed and dumfounded. 

 By TN Ashok   New Delhi, I N D I A , Oct 01, 2024

 

Bengal’s great contributing to Bollywood, Mithun Chakraborty, has been conferred with the country’s 3rd highest award, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, himself a great pioneer in film making, even as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “Cultural Icon”. 

Delighted: PM Modi congratulates Mithun Chakraborty over Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferment- Calls him a " Cultural Icon."

 Mithun Da, as he is popularly known in the Bengal film industry and Bollywood, was moved intensely when I & B Minister Ashwini Vaishanw made the announcement to the media. Mithun Da said he was highly overwhelmed and did not know whether “ i should cry or laugh. I am dumbfounded.  

 

 Mithun Chakraborty is a veteran Indian actor known for his versatility and charisma. After four decades in the industry and with three National Awards to his credit, veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty was today (September 30) announced as the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. 

Speaking to ANI, Mithun, shared, “I don’t have words. Neither I can laugh nor cry. This is such a big thing for a person who rose from footpath…from a blind lane in Kolkata… he is now being awarded with the most prestigious award. I could not have imagined this. I am extremely happy. I dedicate this to my family and my fans across the world.” 

'Came from the back lanes of Kolkata...': Mithun Chakraborty gets emotional after receiving Dadasaheb Phalke Award, says 'can't cry, cannot even smile'

Meanwhile, the Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw lauded the actor, saying his remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations. In a post on X, the minister shared "Mithun Da’s remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations! Honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to award legendary actor, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian Cinema. To be presented at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on Oct 8, 2024." 

For the unversed, Mithun Chakraborty made his Bollywood debut with Mrinal Sen's Mrigayaa (1976), earning the National Film Award for Best Actor for his stellar performance. He rose to fame and became a household name with his iconic role in the 1982 film Disco Dancer, a massive box-office hit. Alongside his commercial success, Mithun also delivered notable performances in critically acclaimed films such as Surakshaa (1979), Bimal Dutt’s Kasturi (1980), and Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ The Naxalites. 

PM Narendra Modi calls Mithun Chakraborty 'cultural icon' as he gets named for

Dadasaheb Phalke Award; veteran actor feels 'dumbfounded' 

PM Narendra Modi calls Mithun Chakraborty 'cultural icon' as he gets named for Dadasaheb Phalke Award; veteran actor feels 'dumbfounded 'One of the biggest news from showbiz is Mithun Chakraborty being named as the recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award . for this year.  

 

The accolade is the highest government honor presented to individuals for their contribution to the world of cinema. Upon hearing about this piece of information, the veteran actor was speechless. Soon after, PM Modi congratulated him. 

In Mani Ratnam's film Guru, claimed to be a bipopic on Dhirubhai Ambani, he essayed the role of Ramnath Goenka, the founder of the Indian Express group of publiations, own for its fearless and investigative journalism. It was a winning performance besides Vidya Balan, who plays his daughter, Abhishekh Bachchan as Dhirubhai , his best role in his career and Aishwarya Rai , his wife , from reel to real life she befame after that.

Three-time National Award winner, Mithun Chakraborty is all set to receive the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his extensive contribution to Hindi cinema. The Kashmir Files actor also told a news agency, "I'm literally dumbfounded. Trust me, I can neither smile nor cry from happiness because a man from literally nowhere, a nobody, has made it," he expressed stating that this award proves what he always tells his fans "If I can make it, then you can too." 

Soon after the information was made official, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the actor on social media. 

In his tweet, PM Modi penned, “Delighted that Shri Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. He is a cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances. Congratulations and best wishes to him.” 

Take a look: 

"Extremely Proud"- Son Namashi Chakraborty - Calls his father Self-Made Super Star

Mithun Chakraborty’s son Namashi Chakraborty also expressed his happiness upon learning about his father’s new feat. He told The Indian Express that he is feeling extremely proud and honored. “My father is a self-made superstar and a great citizen. His life journey is an inspiration for millions. We are all feeling elated for this magnificent honor,” the young star added. 

On September 30, Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on X, “Mithun Da’s remarkable cinematic journey inspires generations! Honoured to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to awardlegendary actor, Sh. Mithun Chakraborty Ji for his iconic contribution to Indian Cinema.” 

For the unaware, Mithun Chakraborty will be presented with the honorable accolade at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony that will take place on October 8, 2024. 

Actor Mithun Chakraborty is on the moon, as he should be. Immediately after being named the latest recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, known as the most prestigious one in the world of Indian cinema, the veteran actor and thespian broke down and said that he was dedicating it to his family and friends. 

“I became speechless after receiving such a prestigious award… 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,” said Chakraborty. Mithun also reflected on his long journey, saying that he came from the 'narrow lanes of Kolkata' to reach this feat and he will never forget his roots. 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also congratulated the actor, sharing his admiration for Chakraborty’s contributions to Indian cinema. “Delighted that Shri Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. He is a cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances. Congratulations and best wishes to him,” Modi wrote o

The BJP’s state president, Sukanta Majumder, also lauded Chakraborty’s achievement, highlighting his remarkable career. “From the impactful Mrigayaa to the iconic Disco Dancer, your unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema has left an indelible mark,” Majumder wrote, while also expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for acknowledging the actor's brilliance. 

In a rare moment of political unity, leaders from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) also congratulated Chakraborty. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh took to X to offer his congratulations while reminding Mithun of his past political associations, saying, "Just a request, don’t forget Pranab Mukhopadhyay’s letter for your 'Padma Shri' and that Mamata Banerjee sent you to the Rajya Sabha.” 

Chakraborty, who has won the National Film Award for Best Actor three times, boasts a career that spans hundreds of films in Hindi and Bengali. Known for his iconic performances in films like Mrigayaa, which won him his first National Award, and the cult classic *Disco Dancer*, Mithun has been a beloved figure in Indian cinema for decades, admired for his versatility and charisma. 

won

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honor in Indian cinema, established in 1969 in memory of the "father of Indian cinema," Dadasaheb Phalke. Conferred annually by the Government of India at the National Film Awards ceremony, it recognizes outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian cinema. Recipients of the award are celebrated for their lifetime achievements in film, and it remains one of the most prestigious accolades in the industry. Over the years, stalwarts of Indian cinema, from Devika Rani to Prithviraj Kapoor to Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan have been recipients of this honor. 

Source : Indian Media outlets