Happy birthday to Mithun Chakraborty. The 80’s star was once called ‘Gareebon Ka Amitabh Bachchan’ due a specific reason. Scroll down to read more.
Happy Birthday to Mithun Chakraborty – the man who shattered all stereotypes about needing a perfect appearance to make it in Bollywood. In the 1980s, Mithun burst onto the scene with his unique charm and talent, defying conventional norms and paving the way for future generations of actors. We have seen Mithun grooving to tracks like “I Am a Disco Dancer” and “Jimmy Jimmy“ in blingy outfits, which might have looked comical on someone else. However, Mithun pulled off those looks gracefully, entertaining the audience in the best way possible and leaving an everlasting impact on his fans.
Before Mithun, often criticized for his gapped teeth, skin color, and heavy Bengali accent, became known for his stylish swagger and status as a male pin-up, he was far from Bollywood’s quintessential hero. Dubbed the ‘gareebon ka Amitabh,’ he frequently faced discrimination for appearing in B-grade films, despite earning a National Award for his critically acclaimed debut film, Mrigayaa (1976).
When Mithun Was Called ‘Gareebon Ka Amitabh Bachchan’
In the ’70s and ’80s, when a perfect appearance on the big screens played an essential part, Mithun da, as he is affectionately known, stood out, rising as the underdog hero beloved by the masses. Despite the love, Mithun was treated differently in the industry. Entering the scene during the peak of Amitabh Bachchan’s career, he carved his own path. Rather than taking roles where he had to share the screen with big actors, Mithun embraced a different route and became the king of B-movies, starring in numerous low-budget films like Gunda.
Talking about the importance of appearance and accent in the industry, Mithun said in an interview, “People talk about the Bengali accent and the South Indian accent, but they don’t seem to have any problem with a hero who has a Punjabi accent. Heroes were supposed to be fair at that time. That was my biggest problem. I thought I’d only manage to be a villain, perhaps a dancing villain. But Amitabh and I managed to change the trend. Now people call me the sexy, dusky Bengali babu.”
Mithun began his career with Mrigayaa in 1976. Since then, the actor has never looked back and has been entertaining his fans. Earlier this year, the Disco Dancer actor was conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award for his outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.
Speaking to news agency ANI, he said, “I am very happy. I have never asked for anything for myself from anyone in my life. I am very happy because when someone receives so much respect and honor… it’s the happiest moment.”
