Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on X that Chakraborty would be conferred with the award at the 70th National Film Awards ceremony on October 8, 2024.
“I became speechless after getting such a prestigious award…I don’t know how to express this. I can’t cry, I can’t smile either. I am dedicating this award to my family and fans across the world,” the veteran actor and producer said.
Delighted that Shri Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. He is a cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances. Congratulations and best wishes to him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to congratulate Chakraborty: “Delighted that Shri Mithun Chakraborty Ji has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema. He is a cultural icon, admired across generations for his versatile performances. Congratulations and best wishes to him.”
Leaders from the West Bengal BJP unit also congratulated Chakraborty.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumder took to X on Monday to say, “Congratulations, Mithun Da, on your extraordinary cinematic journey! From the impactful Mrigayaa to the iconic Disco Dancer, your unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema has left an indelible mark.” He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “recognising (his) brilliance”.
Leader of state Assembly Opposition Suvendu Adhikari also said on X, “Heartiest Congratulations to Legendary Actor; Shri Mithun Chakraborty for being conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. This is an appropriate recognition of your five-decade long journey in Indian Cinema and a sensational range of versatile performances which have not only entertained Indian audiences but amazed people from the world over.”
Leaders of the ruling TMC also congratulated Chakraborty. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “Congratulations to Dadasaheb Phalke Mithun Chakraborty. Just (a) request, don’t forget Pranab Mukhopadhyay’s letter for your “Padma Shri” and that Mamata Banerjee sent you to the Rajya Sabha.”
Earlier, Chakraborty won the National Film Award for Best Actor thrice. He was involved in hundreds of films in Hindi and Bengali.
West Bengal has a long list of film personalities who have received the award including names like Birendranath Sircar, Bengali film producer and founder of the New Theatres Calcutta, who won it in 1970. Pankaj Mullick, who was an actor, music composer, and singer in the Bengali film industry, received it in 1972, followed by Dhirendranath Ganguly, actor and director of Bengali films in 1975.
Later, director Satyajit Ray won the award in 1984, while Mrinal Sen won it in 2003. Manna De, a singer, received it in 2007, while actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay received the award in 2012.
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