Mithun Chakraborty to receive Dadasaheb Phalke for ‘iconic contribution’, PM Modi hails 'cultural icon'

Actor-politician Mithun Chakraborty, 74, will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his ‘iconic contribution to the Indian cinema’, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday, September 30. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognised Mithun Chakraborty's “unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema,” endorsing him as a “cultural icon” after he was named nominee for Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

“ 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,” PM Modi said on X while reposting the IB Minister's announcement of the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards.

“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 (SIC),” Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier said on X.

Several Mithun Chakraborty fans reacted to the news, with many congratulating ‘Mithun Da’. One user commented that Mithun Chakraborty deserved to receive the award a long time back.

Dadasaheb Phalke Awards; Mithun 54th winner

The actor will be felicitated with the award at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony, which will be held on October 8.

Mithun Chakraborty is the 54th winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which was started in 1969 in honour of Dadasaheb Phalke, known as the father of Indian cinema.

53 veterans from the fields of Bollywood, cinema, and music, such as Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Yash Chopra, have received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award before Mithun Chakraborty. Actor Waheeda Rehman received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2021.

Mithun Chakraborty

The actor-turned-politician left Mamata Banerjee's All India Trinamool Congress party in April and joined the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls.

Mithun Chakraborty began as an actor with the 1976 National Award-winning drama Mrigayaa, a Mrinal Sen directorial. He won his first National Film Award for Best Actor for the film. Earlier this year, Mithun Da was conferred the Padma Bhushan Award.

In the 1980s, the actor shot to stardom with Bollywood hits like Disco Dancer, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki, and Commando, among others. Mithun's iconic dance performances on Bollywood songs like “I Am a Disco Dancer” and “Jimmy Jimmy" got him the name ‘Disco Dancer’ among fans.

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