'Slept on footpaths, danced for free food': Mithun Chakraborty recalls his tough days

Mithun Chakraborty pic via Instagram

Mithun Chakraborty is one of the most celebrated actors in the Indian film industry. With a career spanning over four decades and more than 350 films across Hindi, Bengali and other regional languages, the veteran actor has achieved considerable success over the years. However, his journey in showbiz began with immense struggles. He has recalled times when he danced at parties just to get free meals.

Mithun Chakraborty recalls his struggling days

Mithun Chakraborty recently appeared on Farah Khan's YouTube channel, where the two recalled memories from his career and earlier days in the industry. Speaking about the veteran star, Farah said, ""When I was young, my uncle, KK Shukla, used to write movies for Amitabh Bachchan. Your dad used to come to his parties to dance, only so that he could get food to eat in the night. We were too young then, they used to say, bring Mithun home, the boy dances well. He used to come, wouldn't charge anything; he would get dinner there in return for his performance. That struggle is something else. A lot of people randomly use the word struggle, but this is what real struggle looks like."

The Disco Dancer actor further added, "This is beyond struggle. Beyond in the sense that he has slept on the streets, footpath. I slept on street, garden; a couple of times I used to be so tired while walking, I would fall asleep on footpath. When I would wake up, I would find myself on footpath."

About Mithun Chakraborty's career and accolades

Mithun Chakraborty, who is an actor, producer, entrepreneur and politician, has starred in over 350 films across Hindi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Telugu, Odia, Tamil, Kannada and Punjabi cinema. He started his journey with filmmaker Mrinal Sen's National Award-winning 1976 drama Mrigayaa. However, it was the 1979 release Surakshaa that made him an overnight sensation and laid the foundation for his superstardom in the 80s with blockbusters like Disco Dancer, Dance Dance, Pyar Jhukta Nahin, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki and Commando, among others.

The three-time National Film Award winner was conferred the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, in 2024. He also recieved the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema.

Coming up, Mithun Chakraborty is all set to share screen space with superstar Rajinikanth in Jailer 2.