Mithun Chakraborty, a legendary figure in Indian cinema, enjoys multifaceted success as an actor, singer, producer, and social worker. His impactful career spans decades, leaving an indelible mark on Bollywood and beyond.
Biography/Wiki
Gourang Chakraborty, later known as Mithun Chakraborty, was born on June 16, 1950, in Barisal, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). He hails from a Hindu-Bengali family. His schooling was primarily in Kolkata, followed by a chemistry degree from Scottish Church College, Kolkata. Interestingly, before his acting career, he was involved in the Naxalite movement, a chapter he later left behind due to personal circumstances and threats.
After leaving the Naxalite movement, he pursued his passion for acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. He honed his skills further by working as an assistant to the renowned actress Helen. This training and experience proved invaluable to his future success.
Physical Appearance
Mithun Chakraborty possesses a commanding presence. Standing approximately 6’0″ tall and weighing around 70 kg, he maintains a fit physique. His striking features include captivating black eyes and hair, often styled in various ways throughout his career.
Family, Caste, Girlfriend & Wife
He was born into a Bengali Hindu Brahmin family to Basantokumar Chakraborty (father, deceased 2020) and Santirani Chakraborty (mother, deceased 2023). He had a brother who unfortunately passed away in an accident.
Mithun Chakraborty’s romantic life has been the subject of much public interest. He’s been linked to several prominent actresses, including Sarika, Helena Luke, Sridevi, and Yogeeta Bali. His marriage to Yogeeta Bali in 1979 resulted in four children: three sons (Mahaakshay Chakraborty, Ushmey Chakraborty, Namashi Chakraborty) and a daughter (Dishani Chakraborty).
His relationship with Sridevi, reportedly culminating in a secret marriage in 1985 before a subsequent divorce in 1988, adds another layer to his complex personal history. His relationship with Helena Luke ended after a brief marriage.
Career
Acting
Mithun Chakraborty’s acting debut in 1976’s “Mrigaya” immediately garnered recognition, earning him the National Film Award for Best Actor. This was followed by an incredibly prolific career, with appearances in over 400 films across multiple Indian languages. His 1982 film, “Disco Dancer,” catapulted him to pan-Indian stardom, with his dance moves remaining iconic even today.
Beyond Bollywood, he acted in Bengali, Oriya, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Kannada, and Tamil films. His versatility and dedication led to numerous accolades, including multiple National Film Awards.
His success extended to television, with memorable roles as a host on popular dance reality shows like “Dance India Dance” and “Dance Bangla Dance”. He also hosted shows like “Dadagiri Unlimited” and “Bigg Boss” (Bengali version).
Politics
Mithun Chakraborty’s foray into politics began with his appointment to the Rajya Sabha (upper house of the Indian Parliament) in 2014. He later resigned in 2016 and subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021.
Others
His widespread appeal also led to brand endorsements, including notable partnerships with Panasonic electronics and other prominent brands.
Awards
His contributions to Indian cinema have been widely recognized. Awards include the Padma Bhushan (2024), India’s third-highest civilian award, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2024), India’s highest award in cinema. He also received multiple National Film Awards. He has won the Filmfare Awards twice.
Facts
Here are some lesser-known interesting facts about Mithun Chakraborty’s life:
- Despite winning a National Award, he once faced financial hardship.
- He holds a Limca Book of Records entry for starring in 19 films in a single year (1989).
- He was among the highest-paid actors in the 1980s and 1990s.
- He co-founded CINTAA (Cine T.V. Artistes Association).
- His life story inspired multiple Bengali biographies.
- He founded the sports team “Royal Bengal Tigers” for the ICL.
- His favorite sportspersons include Sunil Gavaskar, Sourav Ganguly, and Kapil Dev.
- Suchitra Sen, Nargis, and Amitabh Bachchan are among his favorite celebrities.
- He suffered an ischemic cerebrovascular stroke in February 2024.