Mithun Chakraborty conferred with Padma Bhushan: The Indian actor and politician was conferred with the third-highest civilian honour on Monday by President Draupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi. Mithun who was born as Gouranga Chakraborty on June 16, 1950, is one of the most popular actors of the 1980s, who established his identity as one of the most prominent actors of his time, going on to earn the status of a star.
Mithun's acting career began with his debut in the art house drama 'Mrigayaa' in 1976. Mithun's portrayal of a tribal named 'Ghinua' in the film directed by Mrinal Sen, earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. Since then, there was no looking back for the actor, who rose to immense popularity with the success of his commercial film 'Disco Dancer', that released in 1982. The film established him as a star both in India and internationally.
Throughout the 1980s, he delivered several memorable performances that solidified his position as one of Bollywood's leading actors.
Here are five of Mithun Chakraborty's iconic roles from the 1980s that played an instrumental role in establishing the actor as a star:
Jimmy in Disco Dancer (1982): Mithun's portrayal of Jimmy, a talented dancer from the streets who rises to fame, became synonymous with his image as the ultimate disco icon of Indian cinema. The film's success not only showcased his acting prowess but also his exceptional dancing skills. The actor went on to become the heartthrob of the nation with his impeccable moves and dusky looks.
Ajay in Pyaar Jhukta Nahin (1985): In this romantic drama, Mithun essayed the character of Ajay opposite Padmini Kolhapure. He portrayed a young man from a humble background who falls in love with a wealthy girl. The film was a blockbuster at the box office earning Rs 4.5 crore with a production budget less than Rs 50 lakh.
Dinesh Pathak in Sheesha (1986): Indian Hindi-language drama film helmed by Basu Chatterjee, featuring Mithun Chakraborty, Moon Moon Sen, Vijayendra Ghatge, and Mallika Sarabhai in prominent roles. Adapted from the Bengali novel 'Mansamman' by Shankar, the film marked the first Hindi depiction of workplace sexual harassment. Mithun's portrayal of a man accused of rape won audience's hearts, earning him critical acclaim.
Krishnan Iyer in Agneepath (1990): While the film was headlined by Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, Mithun left a lasting impression on the audience with his performance as Amitabh's friend. The actor went on to win a Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actor category at the 36th Filmfare Awards. The film also marked one of Mithun's several impeccable performances as a supporting actor.
Romeo in Dance Dance (1987): This musical extravaganza features Mithun Chakraborty, Smita Patil, and Mandakini in lead roles, with notable supporting performances from Amrish Puri, Shakti Kapoor, and Om Shivpuri. The storyline revolves around the aspirations of a brother and sister duo who strive for success and aim to achieve stardom as singers. After his popularity as Jimmy in 'Disco Dancer', Mithun once again wowed the audience with his dance moves accompanied by his acting prowess. The film's songs 'Zooby Zooby' and 'Zindagi Meri Dance Dance' gained cult status and are popular even today.