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Written by Sayan Sarkar
Three-time National Award-winning actor Mithun Chakraborty has been honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in the field of cinema, for his contributions to the visual arts. He will be presented with this award at the upcoming National Film Awards ceremony. With a remarkable career spanning over 350 films in various Indian languages, Mithun was also awarded the Padma Bhushan earlier this year. He made his acting debut in the period action drama Mrigayaa (1976), helmed by Mrinal Sen, and won the National Film Award for Best Actor for that film itself.
Born in Calcutta (now known as Kolkata), West Bengal, Mithun maintains a strong connection with his hometown and its residents, besides having appeared in several Bengali films. Despite turning 74 earlier this year, his neighbours still harbour fond memories of his childhood and speak highly of the legendary actor.
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express Bangla (IE Bangla), Mithun Chakraborty’s neighbour Lakshmi Das, whom he affectionately calls “Kaalo Mashi,” expressed her joy over his recognition and her hopes for even greater achievements. Having known him since childhood, Lakshmi took a trip down memory lane and reminisced about those days. “There used to be a lane in this neighborhood and the police would chase people away with sticks — but not Mithun. The house was always filled to the brim with people. The lane used to lead to house Number 10, where an aunt and uncle used to live. Now they don’t live here any more.”
Reflecting on their affectionate relationship, she shared, “Earlier, when living in the flat in Charu market, he used to call me ‘dida’ (grandmother) and offered me to stay there with him. But I refused. I became a widow at a very young age and have been living by myself since. Now he calls me ‘Kaalo Maashi’ (dark-skinned aunt).”
Though Mithun and his family sold their house in the neighborhood long ago, the residents, including Lakshmi, take pride in his accomplishments. “We all feel great. But it’s not their house anymore. It has been sold off because it was in a dilapidated state. The current residents also wish him well and hope he grows further. When Mithun threw a party in a hotel, he took us all there in a car.” She added that his last visit to the neighborhood was for his daughter Dishani Chakraborty’s annaprashan (rice ceremony).
Recalling a recent visit from Mithun’s son Namashi Chakraborty ahead of his film Bad Boy (2023), she said, “He came, paid his respects to me and took my blessings. Although I initially refused to come out because there were many people outside, I eventually did at his insistence. He told me that one of his films was releasing the next day and asked for my blessings. He even hugged me.”
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