Legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty will receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his “iconic contribution to Indian cinema,” according to a statement made on September 30 by Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The award will be given out during the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024. Mimoh Chakraborty, the son of Mithun Chakraborty, recently discussed his father’s receipt of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in an exclusive interview with Zoom.

Takeaways from the conversation
How did you feel when you heard the news, Mimoh?

In my opinion, Dad was a pioneer in the Indian film business, and only a select handful of actors and celebrities have carried the Indian cinematic tradition forward and illuminated it for the rest of the world.

I concur. Not a single place on the planet is unknowing to him.

You know, Mithun Chakraborty is well-known anywhere you go in the globe. You will find that at least one person knows who Dad is due to the widespread influence of his style, charisma, and films, whether they are from Russia, Africa, the Middle East, or even Western nations.

This year, it seems that the government has realized the importance of Mithunda.

Having received the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke awards this year—two very significant and distinguished honors—I believe that the man—a superstar, a legend, and a humanitarian—deserves them both. He is really deserving of it.

I bet you’re a proud son.

I am really pleased to be my father’s son, and I am even more proud to be his son now that I am doing this interview with you. Few individuals have received this medal, and I firmly believe that Dad deserves it. For this reason, I’m very grateful to both the government and his devoted supporters for bestowing this honor upon him. Thus, this is a very lovely occasion. An really thankful moment. A very grateful moment.

What response did the rest of your family give you for the honor?

We’re ecstatic, and as I said before, he really deserves it as he is deserving of all the praise and affection—not only as an actor, but also as a person. Even now, when I go to photo shoots, so many people approach me and tell me how much they love my dad and how he is the ideal rock star. It shows how much his followers still adore him. That’s why it feels so wonderful. Even now, he is still very much loved and cared for by others, and you can only imagine how blessed he is to be where he is now due of their devotion. Thus, I would want to thank the government as well as everyone else for this wonderful event.