Renowned Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty, celebrated for his iconic roles and exceptional dancing prowess, recently revealed poignant struggles from his early days in the film industry. Despite soaring to fame in the 1980s with hits like “Disco Dancer,” Chakraborty battled deep-seated insecurities about his physical appearance.
In a candid interview with CNN-News18, actress Shabana Azmi reminisced about Chakraborty’s early days, recalling his profound self-consciousness regarding his protruding teeth and dark complexion. She attributed much of his eventual confidence to the unwavering support and encouragement he received from her family, particularly her parents, during his formative years. Chakraborty himself has spoken out about the discrimination he faced due to his skin tone upon entering the industry, revealing how he innovatively used his dancing prowess to deflect attention from his appearance.
Chakraborty’s resilience and talent have not gone unnoticed. Recently, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The prestigious accolade was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in the presence of dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Chakraborty’s journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of breaking barriers in the entertainment industry.