The "Disco Dancer" of Indian cinema came from the footpath, literally!
Bollywood is a place where dreams often turn into reality. But as you know, with great opportunities come even greater challenges. For outsiders, making a mark in this industry can be incredibly tough. We’ve all heard stories of Shah Rukh Khan sleeping on footpaths during his struggling days. But Mithun Chakraborty’s journey was even more intense. Now, this obviously isn’t about comparing who struggled more, nor is it about glorifying struggle. But the truth is, Mithun’s story doesn’t get talked about as much as it should. He came from Bengal, without the charm of a Rajesh Khanna or the deep voice of an Amitabh Bachchan. And to top it off, he constantly had to deal with biases around his skin tone. Still, he rose. Slowly, steadily, and against all odds, he built a space for himself.
Today, Mithun da's (as he is fondly called) birthday, it’s the perfect time to look back at a journey that deserves every bit of recognition and more.
Born into poverty in Kolkata, Mithun Chakraborty’s early life was far from glamorous. But even as a child, he carried a spark that poverty couldn’t dim. He dared to dream big, even when the world gave him every reason not to. After graduating in chemistry from the prestigious Scottish Church College, he enrolled at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, to pursue acting.
He passed out from FTII in 1974, reportedly as a gold medallist. But what lay ahead was surely no golden path.
Mithun made a powerful entry into films with legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen’s 'Mrigayaa' in 1976. His portrayal of a tribal hunter was so compelling that he won the National Film Award for Best Actor in his very first film.
Mithun Chakraborty receiving the National Award for Best Actor for Mrinal Sen's Mrigayaa (1976), probably the only actor to win the prestigious award for his debut film@Mahaakshay @Being_Humor pic.twitter.com/0VG8ZbDPpC
— Movies N Memories (@BombayBasanti) February 1, 2018
(Credit: Movies N Memories)
A brief role followed in 'Do Anjaane' in 1976, where he shared the screen with Amitabh Bachchan. But despite such promising beginnings, the road ahead was filled with harsh realities.
Even with critical acclaim to his name, Mithun struggled to find his footing in mainstream Bollywood. Rejections piled up, and he had no roof over his head. He often slept on the footpath in Mumbai, going to bed hungry.
Mrinal Sen with Mithun Chakraborty & Mamata Shankar at the Moscow Film Festival, for Mithun’s debut film ‘Mrigaya’. pic.twitter.com/N0SKgENZSw
— Bollywoodirect (@Bollywoodirect) December 30, 2020
(Credit: Bollywoodirect)
“I’ve faced days where I survived on vada pav. I was told I wasn’t ‘hero material’ because of my complexion,” Mithun once shared in an interview. But he didn’t give up. To make ends meet, he took on bit roles, sometimes in films he’d rather forget. He even appeared in several B-grade movies, just to stay afloat.
Everything changed in 1982.
That year, he starred in B. Subhash’s 'Disco Dancer', a film that not only changed his life but also left a mark on Indian pop culture. Mithun’s dance moves, paired with Bappi Lahiri’s infectious music, made “I Am a Disco Dancer” an anthem of the era. The film was a blockbuster in India and an even bigger sensation in Soviet Russia, turning Mithun into an international star.
And that's how he became a phenomenon.
(Credit: Shemaroo)
The years that followed were Mithun’s golden run. He delivered one hit after another, 'Jagir', 'Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki', 'Boxer', 'Pyar Jhukta Nahin', 'Ghar Ek Mandir', 'Aandhi-Toofan', 'Ghulami', 'Jaal', and 'Dilwaala'...the list goes on.
He wasn’t the quintessential romantic hero or the angry young man. But he was a one-of-a-kind performer who brought raw energy, street-style dancing, and emotional intensity to the screen.
He became the face of the masses; the hero of the common man.
But stardom, as they say, is fickle.
By the mid-90s, the magic seemed to fade. One flop followed another. At one point, Mithun delivered 34 back-to-back box office failures. The industry began to write him off. He was forced to do low-budget films.
But Mithun didn’t vanish, rather he reinvented. The late ’90s saw him regaining ground with films like 'Shapath', 'Chandaal', and 'Swami Vivekananda'. In Bengal, he returned to his roots and found critical acclaim with powerful performances in 'Chaka', 'Titli', and 'Santrash'.
And then, in 2007, came the second wave of his Bollywood career with 'Guru', directed by Mani Ratnam. Playing a newspaper tycoon inspired by the real-life Manik Dasgupta, he delivered a layered, mature performance that reminded everyone of his caliber.
Over the decades, Mithun Chakraborty has won countless accolades:
3 National Film Awards
4 Filmfare Awards
1 Screen Award
Numerous state and international honors.
(Credit: Sansad TV)
But the crowning jewel came in January 2024, when he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. It was a moment of poetic justice for the boy who once slept on Mumbai footpaths to be celebrated by the nation.
“I’ve never believed in giving up,” the "Disco Dancer" once said, adding, “You fall, you rise. That’s life.” And his journey is the ultimate tale of resilience, which continues to inspire us.
