When Mithun Chakraborty was told 'dark-skinned actors won't survive in Bollywood'

New Delhi

Mithun Chakraborty was recently awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 70th National Film Awards. The ceremony was held at Vigyan Bhawan on October 8. The award was presented by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and is considered the highest accolade in Indian cinema, celebrating lifetime achievements in the industry. 

Veteran actor and politician Mithun Chakraborty accepted the award and gave a moving speech in which he spoke about racism.

Mithun faced racism early on in his career

The actor said, “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, I focused on my dancing skills, determined to become so remarkable that audiences would overlook my skin colour. That's how I transformed into the 'sexy, dusky Bengali babu'.”

After winning his first National Film Award, Mithun Chakraborty admitted he started behaving like he was a big deal. 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.”

Earned everything through hard work: Mithun

He added that he "received nothing on a platter" and "everything I earned was through hard work". I often questioned God for my struggles, but after receiving this award, I feel at peace and will never complain again."

Mithun Chakraborty made his film debut in 1976 with Mrigayaa. His portrayal of a Santhal rebel earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor on his debut, and he later won two additional National Film Awards for Tahader Katha (1992) and Swami Vivekananda (1998).

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